Cited by 62Osteoarthritis Treatment and MechanismsCannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchPain Mechanisms and Treatments

Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage: Implications for Future Therapies

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Dunn, Sara L., Wilkinson, Jeremy Mark, Crawford, Aileen, Bunning, Rowena A.D., Le Maitre, Christine L.·2016·Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Abstract

Introduction: Cannabinoids have shown to reduce joint damage in animal models of arthritis and reduce matrix metalloproteinase expression in primary human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes. The actions of cannabinoids are mediated by a number of receptors, including cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), G-protein-coupled receptors 55 and 18 (GPR55 and GPR18), transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma (PPARα and PPARγ). However, to date very few studies have investigated the expression and localization of these receptors in human chondrocytes, and expression during degeneration, and thus their potential in clinical applications is unknown. Methods: Human articular cartilage from patients with symptomatic OA was graded histologically and the expression and localization of cannabinoid receptors within OA cartilage and underlying bone were determined immunohistochemically. Expression levels across regions of cartilage and changes with degeneration were investigated. Results: Expression of all the cannabinoid receptors investigated was observed with no change with grade of degeneration seen in the expression of CB1, CB2, GPR55, PPARα, and PPARγ. Conversely, the number of chondrocytes within the deep zone of cartilage displaying immunopositivity for GPR18 and TRPV1 was significantly decreased in degenerate cartilage. Receptor expression was higher in chondrocytes than in osteocytes in the underlying bone. Conclusions: Chondrocytes from OA joints were shown to express a wide range of cannabinoid receptors even in degenerate tissues, demonstrating that these cells could respond to cannabinoids. Cannabinoids designed to bind to receptors inhibiting the catabolic and pain pathways within the arthritic joint, while avoiding psychoactive effects, could provide potential arthritis therapies.

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Authors
Dunn, S. L., Wilkinson, J. M., Crawford, A., Bunning, R. A. D., & Le Maitre, C. L.
Affiliations
  • Sheffield Hallam University (GB)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Venue
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
Published
2016-12
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
3-15
ISSN
2378-8763 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2278610020
Cited by
62
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1
FWCI
3.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • SHURA (Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive) (Sheffield Hallam University) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
cannabinoid receptors, osteoarthritis, articular cartilage, chondrocytes, CB1 receptor, CB2 receptor, GPR55, GPR18, TRPV1, PPARα, PPARγ, cartilage degeneration, osteocytes

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