The synthetic cannabinoid R(+)WIN55,212-2 augments interferon-β expression via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α

J Biol Chem. 2012 Jul 20;287(30):25440-53. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.371757. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

We have demonstrated that R(+)WIN55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid that possesses cannabimimetic properties, acts as a novel regulator of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling to interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and IFN-β expression, and this is critical for manifesting its protective effects in a murine multiple sclerosis model. Here we investigated the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) in mediating the effects of R(+)WIN55,212-2 on this pathway. Data herein demonstrate that the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) promotes IFN-β expression and R(+)WIN55,212-2 enhances TLR3-induced IFN-β expression in a stereoselective manner via PPARα. R(+)WIN55,212-2 promotes increased transactivation and expression of PPARα. Using the PPARα antagonist GW6471, we demonstrate that R(+)WIN55,212-2 acts via PPARα to activate JNK, activator protein-1, and positive regulatory domain IV to transcriptionally regulate the IFN-β promoter. Furthermore, GW6471 ameliorated the protective effects of R(+)WIN55,212-2 during the initial phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Overall, these findings define PPARα as an important mediator in manifesting the effects of R(+)WIN55,212-2 on the signaling cascade regulating IFN-β expression. The study adds to our molecular appreciation of potential therapeutic effects of R(+)WIN55,212-2 in multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Benzoxazines / pharmacology*
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / genetics
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Interferon Inducers / pharmacology
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / genetics
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / metabolism
  • Interferon-beta / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon-beta / genetics
  • Mice
  • Morpholines / pharmacology*
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology*
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology
  • PPAR alpha / agonists
  • PPAR alpha / genetics
  • PPAR alpha / metabolism*
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Tyrosine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Benzoxazines
  • Cannabinoids
  • GW 6471
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • Interferon Inducers
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Irf3 protein, mouse
  • Morpholines
  • Naphthalenes
  • Oxazoles
  • PPAR alpha
  • Tyrosine
  • (3R)-((2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-((4-morpholinyl)methyl)pyrrolo-(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphthalenyl))methanone
  • Interferon-beta
  • Poly I-C