Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
10:09
Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
6.9K
Extracellular Vesicles and Endocannabinoid Signaling in Patients with COVID-19
Florian Brandes1, Annekathrin M Keiler2, Benedikt Kirchner3
1Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
|September 15, 2023
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transport endocannabinoids in COVID-19 patients, with levels correlating to disease severity. These EVs also carry microRNAs that regulate endocannabinoid signaling pathways in immune cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Endocannabinoids possess immunomodulatory properties, but their role and regulation in COVID-19 remain unclear.
- Lipophilic endocannabinoids require transport mechanisms across biological barriers, with extracellular vesicles (EVs) being potential carriers.
- Understanding endocannabinoid transport via EVs is crucial for comprehending their function in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and concentration of endocannabinoids within EVs in COVID-19 patients.
- To explore the relationship between EV-associated endocannabinoids and disease severity.
- To elucidate the role of EV-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating endocannabinoid signaling pathways in immune cells during COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of endocannabinoids (anandamide, 2-AG, SEA, PEA, OEA) in EVs and plasma from COVID-19 patients.
- RNA sequencing to identify EV-miRNAs and blood cell mRNA transcripts for signaling network construction.
- Analysis of correlations between EV-endocannabinoid levels, disease severity, and miRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Endocannabinoid concentrations, except anandamide, were significantly higher in EVs compared to plasma and increased with COVID-19 severity.
- Specific EV-miRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-370-5p, miR-30c-5p, miR-26a-5p) were associated with the regulation of endocannabinoid-related genes (CNR2, MGLL, CNR1, FAAH).
- Endocannabinoid signaling influenced immunologically active molecules in immune cells, including VEGFA, GNAI2, IGF1, BDNF, and CREB1.
Conclusions:
- EVs serve as carriers for immunologically functional endocannabinoids and regulatory miRNAs in COVID-19.
- This EV-mediated communication mechanism fine-tunes endocannabinoid signaling and metabolism in recipient immune cells.
- The findings offer insights into a novel pathway for intercellular communication and immune modulation in COVID-19.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
305
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
305
01:36Overview of Exosomes
2.7K
Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
2.7K
01:20Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
6.2K
Receptor-mediated endocytosis is when bulk amounts of specific molecules are imported into a cell after binding to cell surface receptors. The molecules bound to these receptors are taken into the cell through inward folding of the cell surface membrane, which is eventually pinched off into a vesicle within the cell. Structural proteins, such as clathrin, coat the budding vesicle.
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
6.2K
01:38Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
3.6K
Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
3.6K
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
230
CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its...
230
01:32Types of Signaling Molecules
10.3K
In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
10.3K