Abstract
In the last few years the role and significance of the glia in CNS function and pathology have been drastically reassessed. Glial cells physiology appears very different in healthy versus pathological brain and the recent identification of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands in glia has triggered a number of studies exploring the role of (endo)cannabinoid system in glia functionality and disease. (Endo)cannabinoids exert their effects in these cells directly affecting some important peculiar functions of the glia and actively promoting biochemical signals ending in a prosurvival fate for these cells. By contrast, (endo)cannabinoids induce a selective death in glia-derived tumor cells. Of special physiological and therapeutic relevance is the reported ability of glial cells during neuropathological conditions to release an increased amount of endocannabinoids and to overexpress cannabinoid receptors. This evidence has suggested that the endocannabinoids production by glial cells may constitute an endogenous defense mechanism preventing the propagation of neuroinflammation and cell damage. The present paper will review the evidence supporting the regulatory role of (endo)cannabinoids in glia function, holding in consideration their therapeutic potential as neuroprotective and/or anticancer agents.
Keywords: Glia, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neuroprotection, cell survival, glioma
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in Glial Cells
Volume: 14 Issue: 23
Author(s): Paola Massi, Marta Valenti, Daniele Bolognini and Daniela Parolaro
Affiliation:
Keywords: Glia, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neuroprotection, cell survival, glioma
Abstract: In the last few years the role and significance of the glia in CNS function and pathology have been drastically reassessed. Glial cells physiology appears very different in healthy versus pathological brain and the recent identification of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands in glia has triggered a number of studies exploring the role of (endo)cannabinoid system in glia functionality and disease. (Endo)cannabinoids exert their effects in these cells directly affecting some important peculiar functions of the glia and actively promoting biochemical signals ending in a prosurvival fate for these cells. By contrast, (endo)cannabinoids induce a selective death in glia-derived tumor cells. Of special physiological and therapeutic relevance is the reported ability of glial cells during neuropathological conditions to release an increased amount of endocannabinoids and to overexpress cannabinoid receptors. This evidence has suggested that the endocannabinoids production by glial cells may constitute an endogenous defense mechanism preventing the propagation of neuroinflammation and cell damage. The present paper will review the evidence supporting the regulatory role of (endo)cannabinoids in glia function, holding in consideration their therapeutic potential as neuroprotective and/or anticancer agents.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Massi Paola, Valenti Marta, Bolognini Daniele and Parolaro Daniela, Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in Glial Cells, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2008; 14 (23) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208785740135
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208785740135 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
New Aspects of Regulatory Signaling Pathways and Novel Therapies in Pancreatic Cancer
Current Molecular Medicine Nano Drug Delivery in Treatment of Oral Cancer, A Review of the Literature
Current Drug Targets Radiolabeled Small Molecule Inhibitors of VEGFR - Recent Advances
Current Pharmaceutical Design A Review on Extraction, Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Betulinic Acid
Current Bioactive Compounds Wnt/beta-Catenin Signaling and Small Molecule Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Opioid Receptor Interacting Proteins and the Control of Opioid Signaling
Current Pharmaceutical Design Understanding Molecular Pathways and Targets of Brachyury in Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Human Cancers
Current Cancer Drug Targets Targeting Tumors with Small Molecule Peptides
Current Cancer Drug Targets Emerging Therapies in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Cancers of Head and Neck
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Nanomedicine to Overcome Cancer Multidrug Resistance
Current Drug Metabolism Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Take a Direct Route to Mitochondria: An Overview
Current Protein & Peptide Science Multi Fractal Process of Powder Particle Breakage and Aggregation
Current Nanoscience P2Y Receptor Activation Affects the Proliferation and Differentiation of Glial and Neuronal Cells: A Focus on Rat C6 Glioma Cells
Current Neuropharmacology Nanotechnology Platforms in Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors
Recent Patents on Nanotechnology Brain Innate Immunity in the Regulation of Neuroinflammation: Therapeutic Strategies by Modulating CD200-CD200R Interaction Involve the Cannabinoid System
Current Pharmaceutical Design State-of-the-Art Methodologies for the Discovery and Characterization of DNA G-Quadruplex Binders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: A New Wave of Molecular Targeted Anticancer Agents
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Lactate Transporters and pH Regulation: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Glioblastomas
Current Cancer Drug Targets Therapeutic Polycomb Targeting in Human Cancer
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Implications of Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) in Cancer: From Prognostic to Therapeutic Applications
Current Drug Targets