Anti-inflammatory property of the cannabinoid receptor-2-selective agonist JWH-133 in a rodent model of autoimmune uveoretinitis

作者:Xu Heping*; Cheng Ching L; Chen Mei; Manivannan Ayyakkannu; Cabay Laurence; Pertwee Roger G; Coutts Angela; Forrester John V
来源:Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2007, 82(3): 532-541.
DOI:10.1189/jlb.0307159

摘要

Previous studies have shown that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory and immunemodulating effects, but the precise mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of JWH 133, a selective agonist for cannabinoid receptor 2, the main receptor expressed on immune cells, in a model of autoimmune disease, experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). JWH 133 suppressed EAU in a dose-dependent manner (0.015-15 mg/kg), and the suppressive effect could be achieved in the disease-induction stage and the effector stage. Leukocytes from mice, which had been treated with JWH 133, had diminished responses to retinal peptide and mitogen Con A stimulation in vitro. In vivo JWH 133 treatment also abrogated leukocyte cytokine/ chemokine production. Further in vitro studies indicated that JWH 133 down-regulated the TLR4 via Myd88 signal transduction, which may be responsible for its moderate, suppressive effect on antigen presentation. In vivo JWH 133 treatment (1 mg/kg) also suppressed leukocyte trafficking ( rolling and infiltration) in inflamed retina as a result of an effect on reducing adhesion molecules CD162 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1) and CD11a (LFA-1) expression on T cells. In conclusion, the cannabinoid agonist JWH 133 has a high in vivo, anti-inflammatory property and may exert its effect via inhibiting the activation and function of autoreactive T cells and preventing leukocyte trafficking into the inflamed tissue.