EVALUATION OF THE EXPRESSION OF CANNABINOID RECEPTORS CB1 AND CB2 IN EQUINE MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

• Grant number: 22/08919-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Rogério Martins Amorim
• Grantee: Luís Felipe Arantes Moya
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Endocannabinoid System constitutes a complex set of signaling pathways whose functions range from presynaptic neuronal inhibition to immunomodulation. The system's endogenous messengers are lipids synthesized on demand (anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol) that interact with G protein-coupled receptors (CB1 and CB2). CB1 receptors are found primarily in the central nervous system (CNS) and CB2 on peripheral and immune cells. The affinity of exogenous substances (phytocannabinoids or synthetic agonists) with these receptors makes it possible to administer these substances for therapeutic purposes for both CNS and immune disorders. Stem cells are able to self-renew and give rise to other cell types through a process known as asymmetric mitosis. Obtaining and characterizing cell populations from adult individuals such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is of great applicability in regenerative medicine, through cell therapy. MSCs can be understood as "living stores" of substances that, under appropriate conditions, secrete bioactive molecules in extracellular vesicles or in the form of soluble factors and interact with other cells in order to create a regenerating microenvironment. Stimulation of MSCs by cannabinoid receptor agonists may induce anti-inflammatory activity in these cells, with possible future therapeutic applications. This work aims to explore the hypothesis that MSCs from different tissues of horses express CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Proof of this hypothesis will provide the scientific basis for studies involving the in vitro stimulation of equine MSCs by agonists of these cannabinoid receptors, in order to enhance the immunomodulatory capacity of these cells for therapeutic applications.