Progesterone reverts LPS-reduced FAAH activity in murine peripheral blood mononuclear cells by a receptor-mediated fashion

WOLFSON MANUEL LUIS; AISEMBERG JULIETA; SALAZAR ANA INES; DOMINGUEZ RUBIO ANA PAULA; VERCELLI, CLAUDIA; FRANCHI ANA MARIA

MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY.

ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013

0303-7207

The relationship between endocannabinoids and immunity has not yet been elucidated. Increased anandamide concentrations are associated with pregnancy failure. Anandamide levels are regulated by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Our work shows that in vivo administration of LPS to non-pregnant mice decreased FAAH activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) while in pregnant mice no changes in FAAH activity were observed. We aimed to study whether progesterone (P) is responsible for this effect. Non-pregnant animals administered with P had a similar response to LPS as the pregnant animals. Also, non-pregnant mice injected with P antagonist and P showed that the effect of P on LPS-reduced FAAH activity was impaired. Furthermore, LPS produced a decrease in the ratio of PR-B/PR-A in non-pregnant animals. Our results showed that, in our model, the endotoxin decreased PBMC’s FAAH activity and this condition was reverted by P in a receptor-mediated fashion.