Cannabinoid CB₂ receptors are involved in the regulation of fibrogenesis during skin wound repair in mice

Mol Med Rep. 2016 Apr;13(4):3441-50. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2016.4961. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

Abstract

Studies have shown that cannabinoid CB2 receptors are involved in wound repair, however, its physiological roles in fibrogenesis remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the capacity of cannabinoid CB2 receptors in the regulation of skin fibrogenesis during skin wound healing was investigated. To assess the function of cannabinoid CB2 receptors, skin excisional BALB/c mice were treated with either the cannabinoid CB2 receptor selective agonist, GP1a, or antagonist, AM630. Skin fibrosis was assessed by histological analysis and profibrotic cytokines were determined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting in these animals. GP1a decreased collagen deposition, reduced the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1, TGF‑β receptor I (TβRI) and phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (P‑Smad3), but elevated the expression of its inhibitor, Smad7. By contrast, AM630 increased collagen deposition and the expression levels of TGF‑β1, TβRI and P‑Smad3. These results indicated that cannabinoid CB2 receptors modulate fibrogenesis and the TGF‑β/Smad profibrotic signaling pathway during skin wound repair in the mouse.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Collagen Type III / genetics
  • Collagen Type III / metabolism
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fibrosis
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / agonists
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Skin Diseases / metabolism
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Smad3 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Acta2 protein, mouse
  • Actins
  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type III
  • Cytokines
  • Indoles
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • iodopravadoline