Cannabinoid and cannabinoid related receptors in fibroblasts, inflammatory and endothelial cells of the equine hoof with and without laminitis: novel pharmacological target.
Authors: Zamith Cunha Rodrigo, Gobbo Francesca, Morini Maria, Salamanca Giulia, Zanoni Augusta, Bernardini Chiara, Gramenzi Alessandro, Chiocchetti Roberto
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary The endocannabinoid system regulates inflammation, tissue remodelling and pain across multiple species, yet its presence in equine hoof tissues beyond the epidermis remained unexplored until this investigation. Cunha Rodrigo and colleagues used immunohistochemical techniques to map the distribution of cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2 and GPR55) across fibroblasts, inflammatory cells and endothelial cells within healthy hoof laminae and tissue samples from clinically laminitic horses. Their findings demonstrated that these receptor subtypes are expressed throughout the lamellar tissue in both cohorts, with preliminary evidence suggesting altered expression patterns associated with laminitic pathology. These results open a novel therapeutic avenue for managing equine laminitis and associated inflammatory conditions through targeted endocannabinoid modulation, potentially offering farriers, veterinarians and rehabilitation specialists additional pharmacological tools to complement current anti-inflammatory protocols. Further research quantifying expression changes during active laminitis and determining optimal receptor-targeting strategies will be necessary to translate these findings into clinical applications.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Cannabinoid-based therapeutics may offer a new approach to managing inflammation and pain in laminitic horses by targeting multiple cell types in hoof laminae
- •Understanding ECS distribution in hoof tissues could lead to more targeted anti-inflammatory treatments that address underlying cellular mechanisms in laminitis
- •This research opens the door to investigating cannabinoid compounds as adjunctive pain management for acute and chronic laminitis cases
Key Findings
- •Endocannabinoid system receptors (CBR1, CBR2, GPR55) are expressed in fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells of equine hoof laminae, extending beyond previously documented epidermal localization
- •The endocannabinoid system plays a physiological role in regulating inflammation, cell proliferation, and pain in equine hoof tissue
- •Cannabinoid receptors represent a novel pharmacological target for modulating pathological processes in equine laminitis