Cannabinoid CB2 receptors and fatty acid amide hydrolase are selectively overexpressed in neuritic plaque-associated glia in Alzheimer's disease brains. J Neurosci 2003 Dec 03;23(35):11136-41
Date
12/06/2003Pubmed ID
14657172Pubmed Central ID
PMC6741043DOI
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-35-11136.2003Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0348010292 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 548 CitationsAbstract
The endocannabinoid system is still poorly understood. Recently, the basic elements that constitute it, i.e., membrane receptors, endogenous ligands, and mechanisms for termination of the signaling process, have been partially characterized. There is a considerable lack of information, however, concerning the distribution, concentration, and function of those components in the human body, particularly during pathological events. We have studied the status of some of the components of the endocannabinoid system, fatty acid amide hydrolase and cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, in postmortem brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease. Using specific polyclonal antibodies, we have performed immunohistochemical analysis in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex sections from brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Our results show that both fatty acid amide hydrolase and cannabinoid CB2 receptors are abundantly and selectively expressed in neuritic plaque-associated astrocytes and microglia, respectively, whereas the expression of CB1 receptors remains unchanged. In addition, the hydrolase activity seems to be elevated in the plaques and surrounding areas. Thus, some elements of the endocannabinoid system may be postulated as possible modulators of the inflammatory response associated with this neurodegenerative process and as possible targets for new therapeutic approaches.
Author List
Benito C, Núñez E, Tolón RM, Carrier EJ, Rábano A, Hillard CJ, Romero JAuthor
Cecilia J. Hillard PhD Associate Dean, Center Director, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease
Amidohydrolases
Blotting, Western
Brain
Humans
Middle Aged
Neuroglia
Plaque, Amyloid
Pyramidal Cells
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
Temporal Lobe
