Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Activation in Atherosclerosis and Acute Cardiovascular Diseases

In the last decades, the cannabinoid system (comprising synthetic and endogenous cannabinoid agonists and antagonists, their receptors and degrading enzymes) has been shown to induce potent immunomodulatory activities in atherogenesis and acute ischemic complications. Different from the other cannabinoid receptors in which controversial results are reported, the selective activation of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has been shown to play antiinflammatory and protective actions within atherosclerotic vessels and downstream ischemic peripheral organs. CB2 is a transmembrane receptor that triggers protective intracellular pathways in cardiac, immune and vascular cells in both human and animal models of atherosclerosis. Considering basic research data, medications activating CB2 function in the circulation or peripheral target organs might be a promising approach against atherogenesis. This review updates evidence from preclinical studies on different CB2-triggered pathways in atherosclerosis and acute ischemic events. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, cannabinoids, CB2, ischemia/reperfusion injury, ischemic stroke.