Endocannabinoids primarily influence neuronal synaptic communication within the nervous system. To exert their function, endocannabinoids need to travel across the intercellular space. However, how hydrophobic endocannabinoids cross cell membranes and move extracellularly remains an unresolved problem. Here, we show that endocannabinoids are secreted through extracellular membrane vesicles produced by microglial cells. We demonstrate that microglial extracellular vesicles carry on their surface N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), which is able to stimulate type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1), and inhibit presynaptic transmission, in target GABAergic neurons. This is the first demonstration of a functional role of extracellular vesicular transport of endocannabinoids.

Active endocannabinoids are secreted on extracellular membrane vesicles / M. Gabrielli, N. Battista, L. Riganti, I. Prada, F. Antonucci, L. Cantone, M. Matteoli, M. Maccarrone, C. Verderio. - In: EMBO REPORTS. - ISSN 1469-221X. - 16:2(2015 Jan 07), pp. 213-220. [10.15252/embr.201439668]

Active endocannabinoids are secreted on extracellular membrane vesicles

M. Gabrielli
Primo
;
L. Riganti;F. Antonucci;L. Cantone;M. Matteoli;
2015

Abstract

Endocannabinoids primarily influence neuronal synaptic communication within the nervous system. To exert their function, endocannabinoids need to travel across the intercellular space. However, how hydrophobic endocannabinoids cross cell membranes and move extracellularly remains an unresolved problem. Here, we show that endocannabinoids are secreted through extracellular membrane vesicles produced by microglial cells. We demonstrate that microglial extracellular vesicles carry on their surface N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), which is able to stimulate type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1), and inhibit presynaptic transmission, in target GABAergic neurons. This is the first demonstration of a functional role of extracellular vesicular transport of endocannabinoids.
CB1 receptor; GABA release; anandamide; extracellular vesicle; microglia‐neuron signaling
Settore MED/26 - Neurologia
7-gen-2015
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/260799
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