Cannabinoid CB(2)-selective inverse agonist protects against antigen-induced bone loss

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2007;29(3-4):387-401. doi: 10.1080/08923970701674997.

Abstract

Work to improve the therapeutic properties of cannabinoid CB(2) receptor-selective inverse agonists has led to the development of Sch.036, an aryl substituted triaryl bis-sulfone with improved oral pharmacokinetic parameters. In this report, we show that this compound blocks in vivo trafficking of various leukocyte populations, a property consistent with other members of this chemical series. This CB(2)-selective compound also shows efficacy in leukocyte recruitment models when added in concert with suboptimal doses of selected anti-inflammatory agents, consistent with its unique function and indicative of its potential therapeutic utility. Finally, studies with Sch.036 show that this cannabinoid CB(2)-specific inverse agonist can ameliorate bone damage in a rat model of relapsing-remitting arthritis. This result suggests that a cannabinoid CB(2)-selective inverse agonist may help ameliorate a particularly harmful property of this inflammatory joint disease.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / toxicity*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Resorption / chemically induced*
  • Bone Resorption / prevention & control*
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / pharmacology
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / drug therapy
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Ligands
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mice
  • Pleurisy / chemically induced
  • Pleurisy / prevention & control
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / agonists
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / agonists*
  • Sulfones / pharmacology*
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Ligands
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Sch 036
  • Sulfones
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)