Do cannabinoids have a therapeutic role in transplantation?

Authors:

Mitzi Nagarkatti, Sadiye Amcaoglu Rieder, Venkatesh L. Hegde, Shunsuke Kanada, Prakash Nagarkatti


Published in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

August 2010

 

Abstract

Cannabinoids have emerged as powerful drug candidates for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases due to their immunosuppressive properties. Significant clinical and experimental data on the use of cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory agents exist in many autoimmune disease settings, but virtually no studies have been undertaken on their potential role in transplant rejection. Here we suggest a theoretical role for the use of cannabinoids in preventing allograft rejection. The psychotropic properties of CB1 agonists limit their clinical use, but CB2 agonists may offer a new avenue to selectively target immune cells involved in allograft rejection. Moreover, development of mixed CB1/CB2 agonists that cannot cross the blood-brain barrier may help prevent their undesired psychotropic properties. In addition, manipulation of endocannabinoids in vivo by activating their biosynthesis and inhibiting cellular uptake and metabolism may offer another pathway to regulate immune response during allograft rejection.

 

DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2010.05.006

FULL TEXT

Citation:

Nagarkatti M, Rieder SA, Hegde VL, Kanada S, Nagarkatti P. Do cannabinoids have a therapeutic role in transplantation? Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2010;31(8):345-350. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2010.05.006