Title:Cannabinoids and Neuro-Inflammation: Regulation of Brain Immune Response
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Author(s): Roberta Ranieri, Chiara Laezza, Maurizio Bifulco, Daniela Marasco and Anna M. Malfitano
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, neuro-inflammation, immune response, blood brain barrier, brain, neurode
generative diseases.
Abstract: Background: Cannabinoid receptors are involved in the neuro-pathogenic mechanisms of
inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system and their expression can be modulated during
diseases.
Methods: In this manuscript we highlight the function of cannabinoid receptors, their signalling and expression at peripheral
and central levels in order to understand their implication in neuro-inflammation and review the effects of cannabinoids
in neuro-inflammatory disorders.
Results: Brain inflammatory processes are characterized by infiltration of numerous types of cells: both peripheral and
brain resident immune cells and other neuronal cells. The disruption of the blood brain barrier favours cell infiltration in
the central nervous system with consequent neuronal damage, a common event in many neuro-inflammatory diseases.
Cannabinoids affect brain adaptive and immune response, regulate inflammatory mediators and can exert a role in blood
brain barrier damage prevention.
Conclusion: Various patents describe the beneficial properties of cannabinoids in numerous neurodegenerative diseases
with inflammatory components and overall effects support the therapeutic application of cannabinoids.
