Cannabinoid CB2 receptors mediate the anxiolytic-like effects of monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition in a rat model of predator-induced fear

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020 Jul;45(8):1330-1338. doi: 10.1038/s41386-020-0696-x. Epub 2020 May 6.

Abstract

The endocannabinoid system is a key regulator of the response to psychological stress. Inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), the enzyme that deactivates the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG), exert anxiolytic-like effects in rodent models via 2-AG-dependent activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors. In the present study, we examined whether the MGL inhibitor JZL184 might modulate persistent predator-induced fear in rats, a model that captures features of human post-traumatic stress disorder. Exposure to 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a volatile chemical that is innately aversive to some rodent species, produced in male rats a long-lasting anxiety-like state that was measured 7 days later in the elevated plus maze test. Systemic administration of JZL184 [4, 8 and 16 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (IP)] 4 h before testing caused dose-dependent inhibition of MGL activity and elevation of 2-AG content in brain tissue. Concomitantly, the inhibitor suppressed TMT-induced fear behaviors with a median effective dose (ED50) of 4 mg/kg. A similar behavioral response was observed with another MGL inhibitor, KML29 (4 and 16 mg/kg, IP). Surprisingly, the effect of JZL184 was prevented by co-administration of the CB2 inverse agonist AM630 (5 mg/kg, IP), but not the CB1 inverse agonist rimonabant (1 mg/kg, IP). Supporting mediation of the response by CB2 receptors, the CB2 agonist JWH133 (0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg, IP) also produced anxiolytic-like effects in TMT-stressed rats, which were suppressed by AM630. Notably, (i) JWH133 was behaviorally ineffective in animals that had no prior experience with TMT; and (ii) CB2 mRNA levels in rat prefrontal cortex were elevated 7 days after exposure to the aversive odorant. The results suggest that JZL184 attenuates the behavioral consequences of predator stress through a mechanism that requires 2-AG-mediated activation of CB2 receptors, whose transcription may be induced by the stress itself.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents* / pharmacology
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoids* / pharmacology
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Fear
  • Male
  • Monoacylglycerol Lipases
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cnr2 protein, rat
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Monoacylglycerol Lipases