Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Signaling in Embryo Neurodevelopment

In utero exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of marijuana, is associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental defects in the offspring by interfering with the functioning of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system. At the present time, it is not clearly known whether the eCB system is present before neurogenesis. Using an array of biochemical techniques, we analyzed the levels of CB1 receptors, eCBs (AEA and 2‐AG), and the enzymes (NAPE‐PLD, DAGLα, DAGLβ, MAGL, and FAAH) involved in the metabolism of the eCBs in chick and mouse models during development. The findings demonstrate the presence of eCB system in early embryo before neurogenesis. The eCB system might play a critical role in early embryogenesis and there might be adverse developmental consequences of in utero exposure to marijuana and other drugs of abuse during this period.     

Anticonvulsant Effect of Swertiamarin Against Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures in Adult Male Mice

Epilepsy is one of the common and major neurological disorders, approximately a third of the individuals with epilepsy suffer from seizures and not able to successfully respond to available medications. Current study was designed to investigate whether Swertiamarin (Swe) had anticonvulsant activity in the pilocarpine (PILO)-treated mice. Thirty minutes prior to the PILO (280 mg/kg) injection, the mice were administrated with Swe (50, 150, and 450 mg/kg) and valproate sodium (VPA, 200 mg/kg) once. Seizures and electroencephalography (EEG) were observed, and then the mice were killed for Nissl, Fluoro-jade B (FJB) staining. Astrocytic activation was examined in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was used to examine the expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). The results indicated that pretreatment with Swe (150, 450 mg/kg) and VPA (200 mg/kg) significantly delayed the onset of the first convulsion and reduced the incidence of status epilepticus and mortality. Analysis of EEG recordings demonstrated that Swe (150, 450 mg/kg) and VPA (200 mg/kg) sharply decreased epileptiform discharges. Furthermore, Nissl and FJB staining revealed that Swe (150, 450 mg/kg) and VPA (200 mg/kg) relieved the neuronal damage. Additionally, Swe (450 mg/kg) dramatically inhibited astrocytic activation. Western blot analysis showed that Swe (450 mg/kg) significantly decreased the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and elevated the expression of IL-10. Taken together, these findings revealed that Swe exerted anticonvulsant effects on PILO-treated mice. Further studies are encouraged to investigate these beneficial effects of Swe as an adjuvant in epilepsy.     

Amino-Terminal Processing of the Human Cannabinoid Receptor 1

The human cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), translocates its long amino-terminal (N-terminal) domain across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane in a C-to-N terminal direction. Using the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) expression system, CB1 was expressed in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. It was found that a large fraction of the CB1 molecules were N-terminally truncated prior to ER translocation. Truncation was fast and independent of the proteasome. It is concluded that the truncation process might be a way to create a novel type of CB1.     

Hepatitis C Virus Induces the Cannabinoid Receptor 1

Background

Activation of hepatic CB₁ receptors (CB₁) is associated with steatosis and fibrosis in experimental forms of liver disease. However, CB₁ expression has not been assessed in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), a disease associated with insulin resistance, steatosis and metabolic disturbance. We aimed to determine the importance and explore the associations of CB₁ expression in CHC.

Methods

CB₁ receptor mRNA was measured by real time quantitative PCR on extracted liver tissue from 88 patients with CHC (genotypes 1 and 3), 12 controls and 10 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The Huh7/JFH1 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture model was used to validate results.

Principal Findings

CB₁ was expressed in all patients with CHC and levels were 6-fold higher than in controls (P<0.001). CB₁ expression increased with fibrosis stage, with cirrhotics having up to a 2 fold up-regulation compared to those with low fibrosis stage (p<0.05). Even in mild CHC with no steatosis (F0-1), CB₁ levels remained substantially greater than in controls (p<0.001) and in those with mild CHB (F0-1; p<0.001). Huh7 cells infected with JFH-1 HCV showed an 8-fold upregulation of CB₁, and CB₁ expression directly correlated with the percentage of cells infected over time, suggesting that CB₁ is an HCV inducible gene. While HCV structural proteins appear essential for CB₁ induction, there was no core genotype specific difference in CB₁ expression. CB₁ significantly increased with steatosis grade, primarily driven by patients with genotype 3 CHC. In genotype 3 patients, CB₁ correlated with SREBP-1c and its downstream target FASN (SREBP-1c; R = 0.37, FASN; R = 0.39, p<0.05 for both).

Conclusions/Significance

CB₁ is up-regulated in CHC and is associated with increased steatosis in genotype 3. It is induced by the hepatitis C virus.     

Internalization and Recycling of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor

Tolerance develops rapidly to cannabis, cannabinoids, and related drugs acting at the CB1 cannabinoid receptor. However, little is known about what happens to the receptor as tolerance is developing. In this study, we have found that CB1 receptors are rapidly internalized following agonist binding and receptor activation. Efficacious cannabinoid agonists (WIN 55,212-2, CP 55,940, and HU 210) caused rapid internalization. Methanandamide (an analogue of an endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide) was less effective, causing internalization only at high concentration, whereas delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol caused little internalization, even at 3 microM. CB1 internalized via clathrin-coated pits as sequestration was inhibited by hypertonic sucrose. Internalization did not require activated G protein alpha(i), alpha(o), or alpha(s) subunits. A region of the extreme carboxy terminus of the receptor was necessary for internalization, as a mutant CB1 receptor lacking the last 14 residues did not internalize, whereas a mutant lacking the last 10 residues did. Steps involved in the recycling of sequestered receptor were also investigated. Recovery of CB1 to the cell surface after short (20 min) but not long (90 min) agonist treatment was independent of new protein synthesis. Recycling also required endosomal acidification and dephosphorylation. These results show that CB1 receptor trafficking is dynamically regulated by cannabimimetic drugs.     

The Inhibitory Effects of Npas4 on Seizures in Pilocarpine-Induced Epileptic Rats

To explore the effects of neuronal Per-Arnt-Sim domain protein 4 (Npas4) on seizures in pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats, Npas4 expression was detected by double-label immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting in the brains of pilocarpine-induced epileptic model rats at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7 d, 14 d, 30 d, and 60 d after status epilepticus. Npas4 was localized primarily in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of neurons. The Npas4 protein levels increased in the acute phase of seizures (between 6 h and 72 h) and decreased in the chronic phases (between 7 d and 60 d) in the rat model. Npas4 expression was knocked down by specific siRNA interference. Then, the animals were treated with pilocarpine, and the effects on seizures were evaluated on the 7th day. The onset latencies of pilocarpine-induced seizures were decreased, while the seizure frequency, duration and attack rate increased in these rats. Our study indicates that Npas4 inhibits seizure attacks in pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats.     

Structure of a Signaling Cannabinoid Receptor 1-G Protein Complex

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The Effects of Alpha-Tocopherol on Hippocampal Oxidative Stress Prior to in Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in seizure-induced neurodegeneration, and there is a correlation between free radical level and scavenger enzymatic activity in the epilepsy. It has been suggested that pilocarpine-induced seizures is mediated by an increase in oxidative stress. Current research has found that antioxidant may provide, in a certain degree, neuroprotection against the neurotoxicity of seizures at the cellular level. Alpha-tocopherol has numerous nonenzymatic actions and is a powerful liposoluble antioxidant. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of alpha-tocopherol (TP) in rats, against oxidative stress caused by pilocarpine-induced seizures. 30 min prior to behavioral observation, Wistar rats were treated with, 0.9% saline (i.p., control group), TP (200 mg/kg, i.p., TP group), pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p., P400 group), or the combination of TP (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.). After the treatments all groups were observed for 6 h. The enzymatic activities, lipid peroxidation and nitrite concentrations were measured using speccitrophotometric methods and these data were assayed. In P400 group mice there was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels. However, no alteration was observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. In the TP and pilocarpine co-administered mice, antioxidant treatment significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation level and nitrite content, as well as increased the SOD and catalase activities in rat hippocampus after seizures. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that oxidative stress occurs in hippocampus during pilocarpine-induced seizures, indicate that brain damage induced by the oxidative process plays a crucial role in seizures pathogenic consequences, and imply that strong protective effect could be achieved using alpha-tocopherol.     

Expression and Functional Relevance of Cannabinoid Receptor 1 in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB₁) is expressed in certain types of malignancies. An analysis of CB₁ expression and function in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), one of the most frequent lymphomas, was not performed to date.

Design and Methods

We examined the distribution of CB₁ protein in primary cases of HL. Using lymphoma derived cell lines, the role of CB₁ signaling on cell survival was investigated.

Results

A predominant expression of CB₁ was found in Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells in a vast majority of classical HL cases. The HL cell lines L428, L540 and KM-H2 showed strong CB₁-abundance and displayed a dose-dependent decline of viability under CB₁ inhibition with AM251. Further, application of AM251 led to decrease of constitutively active NFκB/p65, a crucial survival factor of HRS-cells, and was followed by elevation of apoptotic markers in HL cells.

Conclusions

The present study identifies CB₁ as a feature of HL, which might serve as a potential selective target in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.     

Ligand Binding and Modulation of Cyclic AMP Levels Depend on the Chemical Nature of Residue 192 of the Human Cannabinoid Receptor 1

Abstract: The human cannabinoid receptor associated with the CNS (CB1) binds Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of marijuana, and other cannabimimetic compounds. This receptor is a member of the seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptor family and mediates its effects through inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in ligand binding and receptor activation requires identification of the active site residues and their role. Lys¹⁹² of the third transmembrane domain of the receptor is noteworthy because it is the only nonconserved, charged residue in the transmembrane region. To investigate the properties of this residue, which are important for both ligand binding and receptor activation, we generated mutant receptors in which this amino acid was changed to either Arg (K192R), Gln (K192Q), or Glu (K192E). Wild-type and mutant receptors were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and were evaluated in binding assays with the bicyclic cannabinoid CP-55,940 and the aminoalkylindole WIN 55,212-2. We found that only the most conservative change of Lys to Arg allowed retention of binding affinity to CP-55,940, whereas WIN 55,212-2 bound to all of the mutant receptors in the same range as it bound the wild type. Analysis of the ligand-induced inhibition of cyclic AMP production in cells expressing each of the receptors gave an EC₅₀ value for each agonist that was comparable to its binding affinity, with one exception. Although the mutant K192E receptor displayed similar binding affinity as the wild type with WIN 55,212-2, an order of magnitude difference was observed for the EC₅₀ for cyclic AMP inhibition with this compound. The results of this study indicate that binding of CP-55,940 is highly sensitive to the chemical nature of residue 192. In contrast, although this residue is not critical for WIN 55,212-2 binding, the data suggest a role for Lys¹⁹² in WIN 55,212-2-induced receptor activation.     

大麻素受体1对小鼠脂质代谢的作用研究

目的研究大麻素受体1(CB1)对高脂饮食诱导肥胖模型小鼠脂质代谢调节作用的机制。方法高脂饮食喂养雄性C57BL/6J小鼠构建肥胖模型小鼠。灌胃给药CB1抑制剂利莫那班(SR141716),观察小鼠体质量、肝脏质量及血清生化指标,检测CB1在皮下脂肪、内脏脂肪、骨骼肌、肝脏、心脏中的mRNA和蛋白质水平,着重探索CB1对肉碱棕榈酰转移酶1(CPT1)基因在mRNA水平表达情况的变化。结果 SR141716抑制了CB1在小鼠各组织中mRNA和蛋白质水平的表达(P0.05),显著降低了小鼠体质量、肝脏质量(P0.05),降低了血清总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白、脂联素和瘦素含量(P0.05);CB1受抑制后,组织中CPT1A和CPT1B基因mRNA的表达水平明显上调(P0.05);未检测到CPT1A和CPT1B在心脏的差异表达。结论证实CB1通过作用于CPT1A、CPT1B基因发挥对脂质代谢的调节作用,为靶向调控脂质代谢提供了可靠的依据。     

Neuroprotective Effects of Idebenone Against Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures: Modulation of Antioxidant Status, DNA Damage and Na+, K+-ATPase Activity in Rat Hippocampus

The current study investigated the neuroprotective activity of idebenone against pilocarpine-induced seizures and hippocampal injury in rats. Idebenone is a ubiquinone analog with antioxidant, and ATP replenishment effects. It is well tolerated and has low toxicity. Previous studies reported the protective effects of idebenone against neurodegenerative diseases such as Friedreich’s ataxia and Alzheimer’s disease. So far, the efficacy of idebenone in experimental models of seizures has not been tested. To achieve this aim, rats were randomly distributed into six groups. Two groups were treated with either normal saline (0.9 %, i.p., control group) or idebenone (200 mg/kg, i.p., Ideb200 group) for three successive days. Rats of the other four groups (P400, Ideb50 + P400, Ideb100 + P400, and Ideb200 + P400) received either saline or idebenone (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 3 days, respectively followed by a single dose of pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.). All rats were observed for 6 h post pilocarpine injection. Latency to the first seizure, and percentages of seizures and survival were recorded. Surviving animals were sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissues were separated and used for the measurement of lipid peroxides, total nitrate/nitrite, glutathione and DNA fragmentation levels, in addition to catalase and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activities. Results revealed that in a dose-dependent manner, idebenone (100, 200 mg/kg) prolonged the latency to the first seizure, elevated the percentage of survival and diminished the percentage of pilocapine-induced seizures in rats. Significant increases in lipid peroxides, total nitrate/nitrite, DNA fragmentation levels and catalase activity, in addition to a significant reduction in glutathione level and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity were observed in pilocarpine group. Pre-administration of idebenone (100, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) to pilocarpine-treated rats, significantly reduced lipid peroxides, total nitrate/nitrite, DNA fragmentation levels, and normalized catalase activity. Moreover, idebenone prevented pilocarpine-induced detrimental effects on brain hippocampal glutathione level, and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase enzyme activity in rats. Data obtained from the current investigation emphasized the critical role of oxidative stress in induction of seizures by pilocarpine and elucidated the prominent neuroprotective and antioxidant activities of idebenone in this model.     

Transmembrane Helical Domain of the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor

Brain cannabinoid (CB₁) receptors are G-protein coupled receptors and belong to the rhodopsin-like subfamily. A homology model of the inactive state of the CB₁ receptor was constructed using the x-ray structure of β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) as the template. We used 105 ns duration molecular-dynamics simulations of the CB₁ receptor embedded in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayer to gain some insight into the structure and function of the CB₁ receptor. As judged from the root mean-square deviations combined with the detailed structural analyses, the helical bundle of the CB₁ receptor appears to be fully converged in 50 ns of the simulation. The results reveal that the helical bundle structure of the CB₁ receptor maintains a topology quite similar to the x-ray structures of G-protein coupled receptors overall. It is also revealed that the CB₁ receptor is stabilized by the formation of extensive, water-mediated H-bond networks, aromatic stacking interactions, and receptor-lipid interactions within the helical core region. It is likely that these interactions, which are often specific to functional motifs, including the S(N)LAxAD, D(E)RY, CWxP, and NPxxY motifs, are the molecular constraints imposed on the inactive state of the CB₁ receptor. It appears that disruption of these specific interactions is necessary to release the molecular constraints to achieve a conformational change of the receptor suitable for G-protein activation.     

Paracrine Transactivation of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor by AT1 Angiotensin and Other Gq/11 Protein-coupled Receptors

Intracellular signaling systems of G protein-coupled receptors are well established, but their role in paracrine regulation of adjacent cells is generally considered as a tissue-specific mechanism. We have shown previously that AT₁ receptor (AT₁R) stimulation leads to diacylglycerol lipase-mediated transactivation of co-expressed CB₁Rs in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In the present study we detected a paracrine effect of the endocannabinoid release from Chinese hamster ovary, COS7, and HEK293 cells during the stimulation of AT₁ angiotensin receptors by determining CB₁ cannabinoid receptor activity with bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based sensors of G protein activation expressed in separate cells. The angiotensin II-induced, paracrine activation of CB₁ receptors was visualized by detecting translocation of green fluorescent protein-tagged β-arrestin2. Mass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated angiotensin II-induced stimulation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol production, whereas no increase of anandamide levels was observed. Stimulation of G_q/11-coupled M₁, M₃, M₅ muscarinic, V₁ vasopressin, α_1a adrenergic, B₂ bradykinin receptors, but not G_i/o-coupled M₂ and M₄ muscarinic receptors, also led to paracrine transactivation of CB₁ receptors. These data suggest that, in addition to their retrograde neurotransmitter role, endocannabinoids have much broader paracrine mediator functions during activation of G_q/11-coupled receptors.Hormones, neurotransmitters, and other chemical mediators acting on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)² exert their effects on the target cells by stimulating G protein-dependent and independent intracellular signaling pathways (1–4). Activation of G_q/11 protein-coupled receptors causes phospholipase C activation, which produces inositol-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol from phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate, leading to Ca²⁺-signal generation and protein kinase C activation. However, the concerted response of tissues to chemical mediators frequently also involves the activation of cells adjacent to the target cells, due to the release of paracrine mediators. A well known example is NO, which can be released from activated endothelial cells to cause relaxation of adjacent vascular smooth muscle cells. Lipid mediators can also act as intercellular messengers. For example, endocannabinoids released from postsynaptic neurons after depolarization act as retrograde transmitters by binding to and stimulating presynaptic cannabinoid receptors, which leads to inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid release (an event termed depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition, DSI) (5–7).Cannabinoid receptors were first identified based on their ability to selectively recognize marijuana analogs. To date, two cannabinoid receptors have been identified by molecular cloning, CB₁ and CB₂ receptors (CB₁R and CB₂R, respectively) (5, 8, 9), although additional GPCRs have also been proposed to function as cannabinoid receptors (10, 11). Cannabinoid receptors also recognize certain lipids present in animal tissues termed endocannabinoids, such as arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and 2-arachidonoylglyceryl ether (noladin ether) (7, 12–16). In adult and fetal neural tissues, the two major endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, are produced on demand, usually after depolarization of postsynaptic cells or following stimulation of G_q-coupled metabotropic glutamate or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (7, 12, 17–20). Enzymes responsible for 2-AG production and metabolism in tissues are localized to well defined structures at synapses, near the axon terminals of CB₁R-expressing cells (5, 7). In contrast, in peripheral tissues baseline levels of endocannabinoid production usually manifest as “endocannabinoid tone,” with poorly understood localization of the various components of the endocannabinoid system. 2-AG levels in brain homogenates and in many peripheral tissues are near its K_d for the CB₁R (19), suggesting that function of endocannabinoids may not be limited to localized synaptic signaling.There is mounting evidence that endocannabinoids play important roles in peripheral cardiovascular, inflammatory, intestinal, and metabolic regulation (21–24). 2-AG is produced by diacylglycerol-lipase (DAGL) after cleavage of the fatty-acid in the sn-1 position of diacylglycerol (DAG) (19, 25). Phospholipase C activation by G_q/11 protein-coupled receptors produces DAG, which can serve as a substrate for DAGL. Plasma membrane phosphoinositides are enriched in arachidonic acid in the sn-2 position (26), and DAGL is expressed ubiquitously (27), which suggests that phospholipase C-mediated cleavage of polyphosphoinositides may routinely lead to the formation of 2-AG. In accordance with this hypothesis, we have recently shown that angiotensin II- (Ang II)-mediated activation of the G_q/11-coupled AT₁ angiotensin receptor (AT₁R) leads to DAGL-dependent activation of CB₁Rs expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (28).Here our aim has been to examine the possibility that 2-AG serves as a common paracrine signal generated via activation of G_q/11 protein-coupled, Ca²⁺-mobilizing receptors. Accordingly, we co-expressed CB₁Rs and BRET-based sensors of G protein activation in CHO cells, and used these cells to detect endocannabinoid release from adjacent cells that express AT₁R or other Ca²⁺-mobilizing GPCRs. We have further shown that activation of AT₁R by Ang II increases 2-AG levels in CHO cells. These findings suggest that 2-AG is commonly released following activation of Ca²⁺-mobilizing GPCRs and serves as a paracrine signal to activate CB₁R in neighboring cells.     

Cannabinoid Receptor CB2 Modulates Axon Guidance

Navigation of retinal projections towards their targets is regulated by guidance molecules and growth cone transduction mechanisms. Here, we present in vitro and in vivo evidences that the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB₂R) is expressed along the retino-thalamic pathway and exerts a modulatory action on axon guidance. These effects are specific to CB₂R since no changes were observed in mice where the gene coding for this receptor was altered (cnr2 ^−/−). The CB₂R induced morphological changes observed at the growth cone are PKA dependent and require the presence of the netrin-1 receptor, Deleted in Colorectal Cancer. Interfering with endogenous CB₂R signalling using pharmacological agents increased retinal axon length and induced aberrant projections. Additionally, cnr2 ^−/− mice showed abnormal eye-specific segregation of retinal projections in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) indicating CB₂R’s implication in retinothalamic development. Overall, this study demonstrates that the contribution of endocannabinoids to brain development is not solely mediated by CB₁R, but also involves CB₂R.     

Suppression of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor by Lentivirus Mediated Small Interfering RNA Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats

It is recognized that endogenous cannabinoids, which signal through CB1 receptors in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), exert a profibrotic effect on chronic liver diseases. In this study, we suppressed CB1 expression by lentivirus mediated small interfering RNA (CB1-RNAi-LV) and investigated its effect on hepatic fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that CB1-RNAi-LV significantly inhibited CB1 expression, and suppressed proliferation and extracellular matrix production in HSCs. Furthermore, CB1-RNAi-LV ameliorated dimethylnitrosamine induced hepatic fibrosis markedly, which was associated with the decreased expression of mesenchymal cell markers smooth muscle α-actin, vimentin and snail, and the increased expression of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin. The mechanism lies on the blockage of Smad signaling transduction induced by transforming growth factor β1 and its receptor TGF-β RII. Our study firstly provides the evidence that CB1-RNAi-LV might ameliorate hepatic fibrosis through the reversal of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while the CB1 antagonists AM251 had no effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transitions of HSCs. This suggests that CB1 is implicated in hepatic fibrosis and selective suppression of CB1 by small interfering RNA may present a powerful tool for hepatic fibrosis treatment.