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Care and feeding of the endocannabinoid system: a systematic review of potential clinical interventions that upregulate the endocannabinoid system.

Authors: John M. McPartland, Geoffrey W. Guy, Vincenzo Di Marzo
PLoS One, 12 March 2014

BACKGROUND: The “classic” endocannabinoid (eCB) system includes the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, the eCB ligands anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and their metabolic enzymes. An emerging literature documents the “eCB deficiency syndrome” as an etiology…

Cannabinoid receptor type 2, but not type 1, is up-regulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children affected by autistic disorders.

Authors: Dario Siniscalco, Anna Sapone, Catia Giordano, Alessandra Cirillo, Laura de Magistris, et al
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, November 2013

Autistic disorders (ADs) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders arised by the interaction of genes and environmental factors. Dysfunctions in social interaction and communication skills, repetitive and stereotypic verbal and non-verbal behaviours are common features of…

The orphan receptor GPR55 drives skin carcinogenesis and is upregulated in human squamous cell carcinomas.

Authors: E Pérez-Gómez, C Andradas, J M Flores, M Quintanilla, J M Paramio, M Guzmán, C Sánchez
Oncogene, 16 May 2013

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) control crucial physiological processes and their dysfunction contributes to various human diseases, including cancer. The orphan GPCR GPR55 was identified and cloned more than a decade ago, but very little is known about its physio-patholog…

Cannabidiol inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis via intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

Authors: Robert Ramer, Katharina Bublitz, Nadine Freimuth, Jutta Merkord, Helga Rohde, et al
The FASEB Journal, April 2012

Cannabinoids inhibit cancer cell invasion via increasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). This study investigates the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) within this action. In the lung cancer cell lines A549, H358, and H460, cannabidiol…

Attenuation of allergic contact dermatitis through the endocannabinoid system.

Authors: Meliha Karsak, Evelyn Gaffal, Rahul Date, Lihua Wang-Eckhardt, Jennifer Rehnelt, et al
Science, 8 June 2007

Allergic contact dermatitis affects about 5% of men and 11% of women in industrialized countries and is one of the leading causes for occupational diseases. In an animal model for cutaneous contact hypersensitivity, we show that mice lacking both known cannabinoid receptors di…