Cannabinoid CB2 receptors as novel target for inhibiting house dust mite induced allergic airway inflammation (P6023)

Abstract

Abstract Asthma is a chronic lung inflammatory disorder characterized by airflow obstruction, airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and bronchial inflammation in response to environmental stimuli including allergens. Allergic asthma is associated with the presence in the airways of CD4+ Th2 cells and eosinophils, together with goblet cell hyperplasia and epithelial desquamation. Recent studies have indicated that cannabis-derived compounds and cannabinoid receptor agonists have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we examined the effect of CB2 selective agonists on allergic airway inflammation using Derp house dust mite (HDM)-induced model of asthma. Our results revealed that the intranasal administration of nonpsychoactive CB2 agonists was highly effective at attenuating allergic airway inflammatory responses. Specifically, CB2 agonists caused a marked inhibition in the accumulation of CD4+ T cells and eosinophils into the airways and the level of Th2 cytokine production in the lungs of mice immunized and challenged with HDM. Moreover, treatment with CB2 agonists ameliorated HDM-induced AHR and mucus production. CB2 receptors were highly expressed by antigen-presenting cells in the airways during allergic inflammation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CB2 activation leads to suppression of allergen-induced airway inflammation and AHR and may provide a novel approach for the treatment for lung inflammatory diseases such as asthma.