The CB2 receptor and its role as a regulator of inflammation

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2016-12, Vol.73 (23), p.4449-4470
• Main Authors: Turcotte, Caroline, Blanchet, Marie-Renée, Laviolette, Michel, Flamand, Nicolas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; Life Sciences; Review
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2300-4

The CB 2 receptor is the peripheral receptor for cannabinoids. It is mainly expressed in immune tissues, highlighting the possibility that the endocannabinoid system has an immunomodulatory role. In this respect, the CB 2 receptor was shown to modulate immune cell functions, both in cellulo and in animal models of inflammatory diseases. In this regard, numerous studies have reported that mice lacking the CB 2 receptor have an exacerbated inflammatory phenotype. This suggests that therapeutic strategies aiming at modulating CB 2 signaling could be promising for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. Herein, we review the pharmacology of the CB 2 receptor, its expression pattern, and the signaling pathways induced by its activation. We next examine the regulation of immune cell functions by the CB 2 receptor and the evidence obtained from primary human cells, immortalized cell lines, and animal models of inflammation. Finally, we discuss the possible therapies targeting the CB 2 receptor and the questions that remain to be addressed to determine whether this receptor could be a potential target to treat inflammatory disease.