Protective role of neuronal and lymphoid cannabinoid CB2 receptors in neuropathic pain

Fecha de publicación: 21/07/2020
Fuente: International Cannabinoid Research Society ICRS
Cabanero D, Ramirez-Lopez A, Drews E, Schmole A, Otte DM, Wawrzczak-Bargiela A, Huerga Encabo H, Kummer S, Ferrer-Montiel A, Przewlocki R, Zimmer A and Maldonado R



Elife 2020 Jul 20;9:e55582.



Link to abstract



Cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2) agonists are potential analgesics void of psychotropic effects. Peripheral immune cells, neurons and glia express CB2; however, the involvement of CB2 from these cells in neuropathic pain remains unresolved. We explored spontaneous neuropathic pain through on-demand self-administration of the selective CB2 agonist JWH133 in wild-type and knockout mice lacking CB2 in neurons, monocytes or constitutively. Operant self-administration reflected drug-taking to alleviate spontaneous pain, nociceptive and affective manifestations. While constitutive deletion of CB2 disrupted JWH133-taking behavior, this behavior was not modified in monocyte-specific CB2 knockouts and was increased in mice defective in neuronal CB2 knockouts suggestive of increased spontaneous pain. Interestingly, CB2-positive lymphocytes infiltrated the injured nerve and possible CB2transfer from immune cells to neurons was found. Lymphocyte CB2depletion also exacerbated JWH133 self-administration and inhibited antinociception. This work identifies a simultaneous activity of neuronal and lymphoid CB2that protects against spontaneous and evoked neuropathic pain.