Cannabinoid Receptor 2-Deficiency Ameliorates Disease Symptoms in a Mouse Model with Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathology

Jun 6, 2018Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD

Lack of a specific cannabinoid receptor reduces symptoms in mice with Alzheimer’s-like brain disease

AI simplified

Longevity & Aging on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

CB2 deletion improved cognitive and learning deficits in APP/PS1*CB2-/- mice.

Reduced neuronal loss and decreased plaque levels were observed in CB2-deficient mice.
Increased expression of Aβ degrading enzymes was noted alongside cognitive improvements.
Plaque-associated microglia exhibited a less activated morphology in CB2-deficient mice.
Plaques in CB2-deficient mice were smaller and more condensed compared to those in APP/PS1 mice.
CB2 may play a role in a protective system that could become harmful with continuous activation.

AI simplified

It is widely accepted that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a modulator of neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, expression of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is induced in plaque-associated microglia and astrocytes in brain tissues from AD patients and in genetic mouse models expressing pathogenic variants of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, the exact mechanism of CB2 signaling in this mouse model remains elusive, because the genetic deletion of CB2 and the pharmacological activation of CB2 both reduced neuroinflammation. Here, we demonstrate that CB2 deletion also improved cognitive and learning deficits in APP/PS1CB2-/- mice. This was accompanied by reduced neuronal loss and decreased plaque levels and coincided with increased expression of Aβ degrading enzymes. Interestingly, plaque-associated microglia in APP/PS1CB2-/- mice showed a less activated morphology, while plaques were smaller and more condensed than in APP/PS1 mice. Taken together, these results indicate a beneficial effect of CB2-deficiency in APP transgenic mice. CB2 appears to be part of a protective system that may be detrimental when engaged continuously.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View full text ↗

Cannabinoid Receptor 2-Deficiency Ameliorates Disease Symptoms in a Mouse Model with Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathology

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the longevity & aging brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the longevity & aging brief