The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment
Leukocytes are part of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are critical determinants of tumor progression. Because of the immunoregulatory properties of cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may have an important role in shaping the TME. Members of the ECS, an entity that consists of canna...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/23/8929 |
| _version_ | 1797546838213001216 |
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| author | Melanie Kienzl Julia Kargl Rudolf Schicho |
| author_facet | Melanie Kienzl Julia Kargl Rudolf Schicho |
| author_sort | Melanie Kienzl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leukocytes are part of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are critical determinants of tumor progression. Because of the immunoregulatory properties of cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may have an important role in shaping the TME. Members of the ECS, an entity that consists of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and their synthesizing/degrading enzymes, have been associated with both tumor growth and rejection. Immune cells express cannabinoid receptors and produce endocannabinoids, thereby forming an “immune endocannabinoid system”. Although in vitro effects of exogenous cannabinoids on immune cells are well described, the role of the ECS in the TME, and hence in tumor development and immunotherapy, is still elusive. This review/opinion discusses the possibility that the “immune endocannabinoid system” can fundamentally influence tumor progression. The widespread influence of cannabinoids on immune cell functions makes the members of the ECS an interesting target that could support immunotherapy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:34:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-56d351e009164230ba927a7603524dd1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:34:53Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-56d351e009164230ba927a7603524dd12023-11-20T22:13:47ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672020-11-012123892910.3390/ijms21238929The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor MicroenvironmentMelanie Kienzl0Julia Kargl1Rudolf Schicho2Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, AustriaDivision of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, AustriaDivision of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, AustriaLeukocytes are part of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are critical determinants of tumor progression. Because of the immunoregulatory properties of cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may have an important role in shaping the TME. Members of the ECS, an entity that consists of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and their synthesizing/degrading enzymes, have been associated with both tumor growth and rejection. Immune cells express cannabinoid receptors and produce endocannabinoids, thereby forming an “immune endocannabinoid system”. Although in vitro effects of exogenous cannabinoids on immune cells are well described, the role of the ECS in the TME, and hence in tumor development and immunotherapy, is still elusive. This review/opinion discusses the possibility that the “immune endocannabinoid system” can fundamentally influence tumor progression. The widespread influence of cannabinoids on immune cell functions makes the members of the ECS an interesting target that could support immunotherapy.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/23/8929tumor microenvironmentendocannabinoid systemcannabinoid receptorsimmune cells |
| spellingShingle | Melanie Kienzl Julia Kargl Rudolf Schicho The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment International Journal of Molecular Sciences tumor microenvironment endocannabinoid system cannabinoid receptors immune cells |
| title | The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment |
| title_full | The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment |
| title_fullStr | The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment |
| title_short | The Immune Endocannabinoid System of the Tumor Microenvironment |
| title_sort | immune endocannabinoid system of the tumor microenvironment |
| topic | tumor microenvironment endocannabinoid system cannabinoid receptors immune cells |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/23/8929 |
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