ABSTRACT: The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, associated with drugs of abuse, may provide a means to treat pain, mood, and addiction disorders affecting widespread segments of society. Whether the orphan G-protein coupled receptor GPR55 is also a cannabinoid receptor remains unclear as a result of conflicting pharmacological studies. GPR55 has ... Continue Reading
GPR55
STUDY: Bone Disease – Role of cannabinoids in the regulation of bone remodeling
ABSTRACT: The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in regulating a variety of physiological processes such as appetite control and energy balance, pain perception, and immune responses. Recent studies have implicated the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of bone cell activity and bone remodeling. These studies showed that endogenous cannabinoid ligands, cannabinoid ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Rod Photoreceptors Express GPR55 in the Adult Vervet Monkey Retina
ABSTRACT: Cannabinoids exert their actions mainly through two receptors, the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) and cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R). In recent years, the G-protein coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) was suggested as a cannabinoid receptor based on its activation by anandamide and tetrahydrocannabinol. Yet, its formal classification is still a matter of debate. CB1R and ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Modulation of l-α-Lysophosphatidylinositol/ GPR55 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling by Cannabinoids*
ABSTRACT: GPR55 is activated by l-α-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) but also by certain cannabinoids. In this study, we investigated the GPR55 pharmacology of various cannabinoids, including analogues of the CB1 receptor antagonist Rimonabant®, CB2receptor agonists, and Cannabis sativa constituents. To test ERK1/2 phosphorylation, a primary downstream signaling pathway that ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor involvement in the down-regulation but not up-regulation of serum IgE levels in immunized mice
ABSTRACT: Marijuana cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been shown in experimental systems to bias T helper immunity towards Th2 and away from Th1. This effect if broadly applicable to humans could have important implications in Th2-mediated diseases such as allergy. In the current study, we examined the effect of cannabinoids on serum immunoglobulin IgE ... Continue Reading