Cannabinoid receptor 2 is necessary to induce toll-like receptor-mediated microglial activation.

The tight regulation of microglia activity is key for precise responses to potential threats, while uncontrolled and exacerbated microglial activity is neurotoxic. Microglial toll-like receptors (TLRs) are indispensable for sensing different types of assaults and triggering an innate immune response. Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) signaling is a key pathway to control microglial homeostasis and activation, and its activation is connected to changes in microglial activity. We aimed to investigate how CB2 signaling impacts TLR-mediated microglial activation. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of CB2 causes a dampened transcriptional response to prototypic TLR ligands in microglia. Loss of CB2 results in distinct microglial gene expression profiles, morphology, and activation. We show that the CB2-mediated attenuation of TLR-induced microglial activation is mainly p38 MAPK-dependent. Taken together, we demonstrate that CB2 expression and signaling are necessary to fine-tune TLR-induced activation programs in microglia.

Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Alters Social Memory and Microglial Activity in an Age-Dependent Manner.

Physiological brain aging is characterized by gradual, substantial changes in cognitive ability, accompanied by chronic activation of the neural immune system. This form of inflammation, termed inflammaging, in the central nervous system is primarily enacted through microglia, the resident immune cells. The endocannabinoid system, and particularly the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R), is a major regulator of the activity of microglia and is upregulated under inflammatory conditions. Here, we elucidated the role of the CB2R in physiological brain aging. We used CB2R-/- mice of progressive ages in a behavioral test battery to assess social and spatial learning and memory. This was followed by detailed immunohistochemical analysis of microglial activity and morphology, and of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. CB2R deletion decreased social memory in young mice, but did not affect spatial memory. In fact, old CB2R-/- mice had a slightly improved social memory, whereas in WT mice we detected an age-related cognitive decline. On a cellular level, CB2R deletion increased lipofuscin accumulation in microglia, but not in neurons. CB2R-/- microglia showed an increase of activity markers Iba1 and CD68, and minor upregulation in tnfa and il6 expression and downregulation of ccl2 with age. This was accompanied by a change in morphology as CB2R-/- microglia had smaller somas and lower polarity, with increased branching, cell volume, and tree length. We present that CB2Rs are involved in cognition and age-induced microglial activity, but may also be important for microglial activation itself.

CB2 Receptor in Microglia: The Guardian of Self-Control.

Microglia are key to maintaining the homeostasis of the brain. These immune cells of the brain can be our biggest ally in fighting infections, but can worsen pathology or hinder recovery when uncontrolled. Thus, understanding how microglia contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and how their activity can be controlled is of great importance. It is known that activation of endocannabinoid system, and especially the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), decreases inflammation. Alongside its non-psychoactive effect, it makes the CB2R receptor a perfect target for treating diseases accompanied by neuroinflammation including neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact mechanisms by which CB2R regulates microglial activity are not yet understood. Here, we review the current knowledge on the roles of microglial CB2R from in vitro and in vivo studies. We look into CB2R function under physiological and pathological conditions and focus on four different disease models representing chronic and acute inflammation. We highlight open questions and controversies and provide an update on the latest discoveries that were enabled by the development of novel technologies. Also, we discuss the recent findings on the role of microglia CB2R in cognition and its role in neuron-microglia communication.

Impact of the endocannabinoid system on murine cranial and alveolar bone phenotype.

PURPOSE: The endocannabionoid signaling system has been demonstrated to be present in the skeleton, with involvement in the regulation of skeletal homeostasis. However, investigations substantiating these findings in cranial and alveolar bones are missing to date. The aim of our study was to investigate a potential impact of the endocannabinoid system on cranial and alveolar bone structures and phenotypes. BASIC PROCEDURES: CB1-/-, CB2-/- and WT mice (n = 5) were scanned via µCT. Reconstructed datasets were processed for analyses. Cranial cephalometric measurements were performed with OnyxCeph3TMsoftware. Alveolar bone densities were determined via mean grey value measurements with Mimics research 18.0. Alveolar bone heights around teeth in upper and lower jaws were morphometrically analyzed. Alveolar osteoclasts were quantified via TRAP staining of paraffin-embedded histologies. Bone-marrow derived macrophages isolated from murine hind legs were analyzed for CD40 and MMR expression via flow cytometry. MAIN FINDINGS: CB2-/- mice exhibited significantly higher bone densities with mean grey values of 138.3 ± 22.6 compared to 121.9 ± 9.3 for WT for upper jaws, and 134.6 ± 22.9 compared to 116.1 ± 12.9 for WT 134.6 ± 22.9. Concurrently, CB2 receptor knockout entailed reduced alveolar bone heights of about 50% compared to WT mice. Antigen-presenting cell marker expression of MMR was significantly diminished in bone-marrow derived macrophages of CB2-/- mice. Cranium dimensions as much as alveolar osteoclasts were unaffected by receptor knockouts.CB1 receptor knockout did not involve statistically significant alterations in the parameters investigated compared to WT mice. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: The endoncannabinoid system, and particularly CB2 receptor strongly affects murine alveolar bone phenotypes. These observations suggest CB2 as promising target in the modulation of oral bone phenotypes, probably by impact on bone dynamics via osteal immune cells.

CB2 receptor deletion on myeloid cells enhanced mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain can develop after nerve injury, leading to a chronic condition with spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia. Pain is typically restricted to the side of the injured nerve, but may occasionally spread to the contralateral side, a condition that is often referred to as mirror-image pain. Mechanisms leading to mirror-image pain are not completely understood, but cannabinoid CB2 receptors have been implicated. In this study, we use genetic mouse models to address the question if CB2 receptors on neurons or on microglia/macrophages are involved. First, we show that a GFP reporter protein under control of the CB2 promoter is induced upon partial sciatic nerve ligation in spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia, and highest in sciatic nerve macrophages, but not in neurons. Mice which lack CB2 receptors specifically on myeloid cells (microglia, macrophages) developed a mirror-image allodynia [treatment F1,48 = 45.69, p < 0.0001] similar to constitutive CB2 receptor knockout mice [treatment F1,70 = 92.41, p < 0.0001]. Such a phenotype was not observed after the deletion of CB2 from neurons [treatment F1,70 = 0.1315, p = 0.7180]. This behavioral pain phenotype was accompanied by an increased staining of microglia in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, as evidenced by an enhanced Iba 1 expression [CB2KO, p = 0.0175; CB2-LysM, p = 0.0425]. Similarly, myeloid-selective knockouts showed an increased expression of the leptin receptor in the injured ipsilateral sciatic nerve, thus further supporting the notion that leptin signaling contributes to the increased neuropathic pain responses of CB2 receptor knockout mice. We conclude that CB2 receptors on microglia and macrophages, but not on neurons, modulate neuropathic pain responses.

Cannabinoid Receptor 2-Deficiency Ameliorates Disease Symptoms in a Mouse Model with Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology.

It is widely accepted that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a modulator of neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, expression of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is induced in plaque-associated microglia and astrocytes in brain tissues from AD patients and in genetic mouse models expressing pathogenic variants of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, the exact mechanism of CB2 signaling in this mouse model remains elusive, because the genetic deletion of CB2 and the pharmacological activation of CB2 both reduced neuroinflammation. Here, we demonstrate that CB2 deletion also improved cognitive and learning deficits in APP/PS1*CB2-/- mice. This was accompanied by reduced neuronal loss and decreased plaque levels and coincided with increased expression of Aß degrading enzymes. Interestingly, plaque-associated microglia in APP/PS1*CB2-/- mice showed a less activated morphology, while plaques were smaller and more condensed than in APP/PS1 mice. Taken together, these results indicate a beneficial effect of CB2-deficiency in APP transgenic mice. CB2 appears to be part of a protective system that may be detrimental when engaged continuously.

Expression Analysis of CB2-GFP BAC Transgenic Mice.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a retrograde messenger system, consisting of lipid signaling molecules that bind to at least two G-protein-coupled receptors, Cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 (CB1 and 2). As CB2 is primarily expressed on immune cells such as B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and microglia, it is of great interest how CB2 contributes to immune cell development and function in health and disease. Here, understanding the mechanisms of CB2 involvement in immune-cell function as well as the trafficking and regulation of CB2 expressing cells are crucial issues. Up to now, CB2 antibodies produce unclear results, especially those targeting the murine protein. Therefore, we have generated BAC transgenic GFP reporter mice (CB2-GFPTg) to trace CB2 expression in vitro and in situ. Those mice express GFP under the CB2 promoter and display GFP expression paralleling CB2 expression on the transcript level in spleen, thymus and brain tissue. Furthermore, by using fluorescence techniques we show that the major sources for GFP-CB2 expression are B cells in spleen and blood and microglia in the brain. This novel CB2-GFP transgenic reporter mouse line represents a powerful resource to study CB2 expression in different cell types. Furthermore, it could be used for analyzing CB2-mediated mobilization and trafficking of immune cells as well as studying the fate of recruited immune cells in models of acute and chronic inflammation.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 deficiency results in reduced neuroinflammation in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Several studies have indicated that the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) plays an important role in neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. The present study examined the role of CB2 in microglia activation in vitro as well as characterizing the neuroinflammatory process in a transgenic mouse model of AD (APP/PS1 mice). We demonstrate that microglia harvested from CB2(-/-) mice were less responsive to pro-inflammatory stimuli than CB2(+/+) microglia, based on the cell surface expression of ICAM and CD40 and the release of chemokines and cytokines CCL2, IL-6, and TNFα. Transgenic APP/PS1 mice lacking CB2 showed reduced percentages of microglia and infiltrating macrophages. Furthermore, they showed lowered expression levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines in the brain, as well as diminished concentrations of soluble Aß 40/42. The reduction in neuroinflammation did not affect spatial learning and memory in APP/PS1*CB2(-/-) mice. These data suggest a role for the CB2 in Alzheimer's disease-associated neuroinflammation, independent of influencing Aß-mediated pathology and cognitive impairment.

Interference of a novel indolylmaleimide with microtubules induces mitotic arrest and apoptosis in human progenitor and cancer cells.

Indolylmaleimides display a broad spectrum of biological activity and offer great opportunity to influence several aspects of cell fate, as proliferation and differentiation. In this study we describe the effect of PDA-66, a newly synthesised indolylmaleimide, showing a strong dose dependent anti-proliferative effect on immortalised human progenitor and cancer cells. We demonstrated a highly depolymerizing effect on in vitro tubulin assembly and conclude that PDA-66 acts as microtubule destabilising agent. In addition we found that PDA-66 induces mitotic arrest of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Subsequently cells undergo apoptosis, indicating the major mechanism of the anti-proliferative effect. To prove a potential anti-cancer activity of PDA-66 we examined the effect of PDA-66 on human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and A-459 lung cancer cells, showing a significant reduction in cancer cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Thus PDA-66 is a new anti-mitotic compound with an indole-core with the potential to be used for cancer therapy.

Small molecules in stem cell research.

Stem cells possess great promise as therapeutic tools for neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease), cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), neurotraumata (spinal cord injury) and demyelinating diseases (multiple sclerosis). This aspiration is based on the cells` ability to maintain a status of self-renewal and to differentiate into the various cell types of an organism. The use of the cells ranges from in vitro to in vivo studies in animal models, ending with clinical applications in humans. The self-renewal and commitment of stem/progenitor cells to differentiate and mature involves complex events leading to the generation of different phenotypes via distinctive developmental programs. Small molecules provide a tool with which to influence these regulatory changes in a controlled manner and to help understand the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, substantial progress in generating induced pluripotent stem cells has been made using small molecules to replace reprogramming factors and enhance the reprogramming efficiency and kinetics, thus generating cells more compatible with the requirements for cell replacement therapies. In this review we will present the recent progress on the use of small molecules in embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell research. In the final section we will give a short summary of the clinical approaches using these cells.

Small molecule GSK-3 inhibitors increase neurogenesis of human neural progenitor cells.

Human neural progenitor cells provide a source for cell replacement therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, there is great interest in mechanisms and tools to direct the fate of multipotent progenitor cells during their differentiation to increase the yield of a desired cell type. We tested small molecule inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) for their functionality and their influence on neurogenesis using the human neural progenitor cell line ReNcell VM. Here we report the enhancement of neurogenesis of human neural progenitor cells by treatment with GSK-3 inhibitors. We tested different small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 i.e. LiCl, sodium-valproate, kenpaullone, indirubin-3-monoxime and SB-216763 for their ability to inhibit GSK-3 in human neural progenitor cells. The highest in situ GSK-3 inhibitory effect of the drugs was found for kenpaullone and SB-216763. Accordingly, kenpaullone and SB-216763 were the only drugs tested in this study to stimulate the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway that is antagonized by GSK-3. Analysis of human neural progenitor differentiation revealed an augmentation of neurogenesis by SB-216763 and kenpaullone, without changing cell cycle exit or cell survival. Small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 enhance neurogenesis of human neural progenitor cells and may be used to direct the differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells in therapeutic applications.

Differentiation of human neural progenitor cells regulated by Wnt-3a.

Wnt ligands play pivotal roles in the control of cell growth and differentiation during central nervous system development via the Wnt signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the effects of Wnt-3a and ß-catenin on the differentiation of ReNcell VM human neural progenitor cells. After overexpression of Wnt-3a or mutant-stabilized ß-catenin in ReNcell VM cells, their effects on TCF-mediated transcription, Wnt target gene expression and differentiation into neuronal and glial cells were investigated. Our results show that activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling increases TCF-mediated transcription and the expression of the Wnt target genes Axin2, LEF1 and CyclinD1 in ReNcell VM cells. In contrast to mutant-stabilized ß-catenin, Wnt-3a increases neurogenesis during the differentiation of ReNcell VM cells. Thus, our data suggest that neurogenesis induced by Wnt-3a is independent of the transcriptional activity of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in ReNcell VM cells.

Novel indolylmaleimide acts as GSK-3beta inhibitor in human neural progenitor cells.

The Wnt pathway is involved in cellular processes linked to either proliferation or differentiation. Therefore small molecules offer an attractive opportunity to modulate this pathway, whereas the key enzyme GSK-3beta is of special interest. In this study, non-symmetrically substituted indolylmaleimides have been synthesized and their ability to function as GSK-3beta inhibitors has been investigated in a human neural progenitor cell line. Among the newly synthesized compounds, the substance IM-12 showed a significant activity in several biological tests which was comparable or even outplayed the effects of the known GSK-3beta inhibitor SB-216763. Furthermore the treatment of human neural progenitor cells with IM-12 resulted in an increase of neuronal cells. Therefore we conclude that indolylmaleimides act via the canonical Wnt signalling pathway by inhibition of the key enzyme GSK-3beta.

A new facile synthesis of 3-amidoindole derivatives and their evaluation as potential GSK-3beta inhibitors.

3-Amidoindoles were synthesized from commercially available arylhydrazines and propargylamines over Zn-salt mediated one pot procedure in excellent regioselectivity and up to 94% yield.