The cannabinoid receptor type 2 as mediator of mesenchymal stromal cell immunosuppressive properties

PLoS One. 2013 Nov 27;8(11):e80022. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080022. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells are non-hematopoietic, multipotent progenitor cells producing cytokines, chemokines, and extracellular matrix proteins that support hematopoietic stem cell survival and engraftment, influence immune effector cell development, maturation, and function, and inhibit alloreactive T-cell responses. The immunosuppressive properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells have attracted much attention from immunologists, stem cell biologists and clinicians. Recently, the presence of the endocannabinoid system in hematopoietic and neural stem cells has been demonstrated. Endocannabinoids, mainly acting through the cannabinoid receptor subtype 2, are able to modulate cytokine release and to act as immunosuppressant when added to activated T lymphocytes. In the present study, we have investigated, through a multidisciplinary approach, the involvement of the endocannabinoids in migration, viability and cytokine release of human mesenchymal stromal cells. We show, for the first time, that cultures of human mesenchymal stromal cells express all of the components of the endocannabinoid system, suggesting a potential role for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor as a mediator of anti-inflammatory properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells, as well as of their survival pathways and their capability to home and migrate towards endocannabinoid sources.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Survival
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / genetics
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / agonists
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / genetics
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism*
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70kD, polypeptide 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1

Grants and funding

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. No current external funding sources for this study.