Title: The Role of Cannabinoid System on Immune Modulation: Therapeutic Implications on CNS Inflammation
VOLUME: 5 ISSUE: 7
Author(s):Fernando Correa, Leyre Mestre, Eduardo Molina-Holgado, Angel Arevalo-Martin, Fabian Docagne, Eva Romero, Francisco Molina-Holgado, Jose Borrell and Carmen Guaza
Affiliation:Neural Plasticity Unit, Neuroimmunology Group, Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior deInvestigaciones Científicas, Avda. Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
Keywords:cannabinoids, immune function, neuroinflammation, glial cells, multiple sclerosis
Abstract: There is a growing amount of evidence suggesting that cannabinoids may be neuroprotective in CNS inflammatory conditions. Advances in the understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of the cannabinoid system have increased the interest of cannabinoids as potential therapeutic targets. Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, the endocannabinoids, have been detected in cells of the immune system, as well as in brain glial cells. In the present review it is summarized the effects of cannabinoids on immune reactivity and on the regulation of neuroinflammatory processes associated with brain disorders with special attention to chronic inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
