Abstract
The cannabinoid CB2 receptor is known to modulate osteoclast function by poorly understood mechanisms. Here, we report that the natural biphenyl neolignan 4′-O-methylhonokiol (MH) is a CB2 receptor-selective antiosteoclastogenic lead structure (Ki < 50 nM). Intriguingly, MH triggers a simultaneous Gi inverse agonist response and a strong CB2 receptor-dependent increase in intracellular calcium. The most active inverse agonists from a library of MH derivatives inhibited osteoclastogenesis in RANK ligand-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and primary human macrophages. Moreover, these ligands potently inhibited the osteoclastogenic action of endocannabinoids. Our data show that CB2 receptor-mediated cAMP formation, but not intracellular calcium, is crucially involved in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis, primarily by inhibiting macrophage chemotaxis and TNF-α expression. MH is an easily accessible CB2 receptor-selective scaffold that exhibits a novel type of functional heterogeneity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1053-1064 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Chemistry & Biology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 25 Aug 2011 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 26 Aug 2011 |