Open AccessThe Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 as Mediator of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Immunosuppressive Properties
Author(s) -
Francesca Rossi,
Maria Ester Bernardo,
Giulia Bellini,
Livio Luongo,
Antonella Conforti,
Iolanda Manzo,
Francesca Guida,
Luigia Cristino,
Roberta Imperatore,
Stefania Petrosino,
Brúno Nobili,
Vincenzo Di Marzo,
Franco Locatelli,
Sabatino Maione
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0080022
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , stromal cell , cannabinoid receptor , endocannabinoid system , stem cell , biology , cytokine , immunology , cancer research , receptor , biochemistry , agonist
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.