Dendritic Cell Regulation by Cannabinoid-Based Drugs

Pharmaceuticals

Mattias Svensson¹  Puran Chen² 

[1] Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden;

关键词: Cannabinoids;    dendritic cells;    inflammation;    immunomodulation;    K_V-channels;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ph3082733

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Cannabinoid pharmacology has made important advances in recent years after the cannabinoid system was discovered. Studies in experimental models and in humans have produced promising results using cannabinoid-based drugs for the treatment of obesity and cancer, as well as neuroinflammatory and chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, as we discuss here, additional studies also indicates that these drugs have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties including modulation of immune cell function. Thus, manipulation of the endocannabinoid system in vivo may provide novel therapeutic strategies against inflammatory disorders. At least two types of cannabinoid receptors, cannabinoid 1 and cannabinoid 2 receptors are expressed on immune cells such as dendritic cells (DC). Dendritic cells are recognized for their critical role in initiating and maintaining immune responses. Therefore, DC are potential targets for cannabinoid-mediated modulation. Here, we review the effects of cannabinoids on DC and provide some perspective concerning the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of human diseases involving aberrant inflammatory processes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.