Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Activation in Atherosclerosis and Acute Cardiovascular Diseases

Title:Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Activation in Atherosclerosis and Acute Cardiovascular Diseases

Volume: 21 Issue: 35

Author(s): Federico Carbone, Francois Mach, Nicolas Vuilleumier and Fabrizio Montecucco

Affiliation:

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, cannabinoids, CB₂, ischemia/reperfusion injury, ischemic stroke.

Abstract: In the last decades, the cannabinoid system (comprising synthetic and endogenous cannabinoid agonists and antagonists, their receptors and degrading enzymes) has been shown to induce potent immunomodulatory activities in atherogenesis and acute ischemic complications. Different from the other cannabinoid receptors in which controversial results are reported, the selective activation of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB₂) has been shown to play antiinflammatory and protective actions within atherosclerotic vessels and downstream ischemic peripheral organs. CB₂ is a transmembrane receptor that triggers protective intracellular pathways in cardiac, immune and vascular cells in both human and animal models of atherosclerosis. Considering basic research data, medications activating CB2 function in the circulation or peripheral target organs might be a promising approach against atherogenesis. This review updates evidence from preclinical studies on different CB2-triggered pathways in atherosclerosis and acute ischemic events.

Cite this article as:

Carbone Federico, Mach Francois, Vuilleumier Nicolas and Montecucco Fabrizio, Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Activation in Atherosclerosis and Acute Cardiovascular Diseases, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2014; 21 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867321666140915141332