About this Research Topic
The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) and the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) are key components of the human endocannabinoid system, a signaling system that regulates a diverse range of physiological processes. Over the past decade, the CB2R has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for treating various pathologies due to its avoidance of activating undesired psychotropic effects caused by CB1R. Under normal conditions, CB2R is highly abundant in the immune system and to a lesser extent in the central nervous system. Depending upon the disease state, CB2R can be induced to either exert protective or deleterious effects on the affected organ. More specifically, studies indicate that CB2R is a promising target for immunotherapy, treating inflammatory disorders, neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, and various forms of cancer.
CB2R was found to be a key player in modulating disease pathogenesis and holds great therapeutic potential. Molecules interacting with CB2R have been indicated as potential treatments for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal/ inflammatory bowel disease, liver, kidney, lung, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, pain, cancer, osteoporosis, reproductive system and skin pathologies. CB2R can be differently induced depending upon the disease states and would be an ideal and promising target. Through the years, researchers had come up with novel ligands targeting CB2R, however, efficient clinical drugs targeting CB2R remain lacking. The knowledge gained with regard to the drug-target binding kinetics and the structures of antagonist- and agonist bound CB2R, CB2R biased signaling and allosterism will introduce new principles that will enable more selective drug design, bring new hope for the therapeutic potential of CB2R, and represent important findings in our understanding of the endocannabinoid system.
This issue aims to provide insight into our current understanding of the field and highlight new findings. All aspects of the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoid CB2R will be considered for the issue. Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Original Research articles will be considered. Authors are encouraged to submit an abstract for consideration prior to full submission.
Topics of interest for this issue include but are not limited to:
• Design and synthesis of new CB2R ligands to modulate the selective functions of CB2R.
• CB2R as potential target against inflammatory, neurodegenerative, neurological and immune diseases, renal injury, cancer, psychiatric disorders, reproductive system, bone and skin pathologies.
• Mechanisms underlying CB2R activation and regulation of signal transduction pathways (canonical, novel and biased).
CB2R was found to be a key player in modulating disease pathogenesis and holds great therapeutic potential. Molecules interacting with CB2R have been indicated as potential treatments for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal/ inflammatory bowel disease, liver, kidney, lung, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, pain, cancer, osteoporosis, reproductive system and skin pathologies. CB2R can be differently induced depending upon the disease states and would be an ideal and promising target. Through the years, researchers had come up with novel ligands targeting CB2R, however, efficient clinical drugs targeting CB2R remain lacking. The knowledge gained with regard to the drug-target binding kinetics and the structures of antagonist- and agonist bound CB2R, CB2R biased signaling and allosterism will introduce new principles that will enable more selective drug design, bring new hope for the therapeutic potential of CB2R, and represent important findings in our understanding of the endocannabinoid system.
This issue aims to provide insight into our current understanding of the field and highlight new findings. All aspects of the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoid CB2R will be considered for the issue. Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Original Research articles will be considered. Authors are encouraged to submit an abstract for consideration prior to full submission.
Topics of interest for this issue include but are not limited to:
• Design and synthesis of new CB2R ligands to modulate the selective functions of CB2R.
• CB2R as potential target against inflammatory, neurodegenerative, neurological and immune diseases, renal injury, cancer, psychiatric disorders, reproductive system, bone and skin pathologies.
• Mechanisms underlying CB2R activation and regulation of signal transduction pathways (canonical, novel and biased).
Keywords: Endocannabinoid system, Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2, Inflammation, Neuroprotection, Immune Diseases
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