Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System Following Central Nervous System Injury

• Main Authors: Juan Zhou, Haneen Noori, Ian Burkovskiy, J. Daniel Lafreniere, Melanie E. M. Kelly, Christian Lehmann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: central nervous system injury; endocannabinoid system; immunodepression
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/2/388

Central nervous system (CNS) injury, such as stroke or trauma, is known to increase susceptibility to various infections that adversely affect patient outcomes (CNS injury-induced immunodepression—CIDS). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been shown to have immunoregulatory properties. Therefore, the ECS might represent a druggable target to overcome CIDS. Evidence suggests that cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) activation can be protective during the early pro-inflammatory phase after CNS injury, as it limits neuro-inflammation and, therefore, attenuates CIDS severity. In the later phase post CNS injury, CB2R inhibition is suggested as a promising pharmacologic strategy to restore immune function in order to prevent infection.