The existence of progenitor cells in the central nervous system is well established, suggesting the existence of neurogenesis in the adult brain. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms that control cell proliferation that are not well described. In this sense, the work done by the group of Dr. Galve-Roperh (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) is a significant advance in identifying the signals that govern the proliferation of multipotent neural cells.

The authors of this paper describes the endocannabinoid system expressed by neural progenitor cells as it activates their proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the formation of neurospheres. Identify production by these cell types, two endocannabinoids: N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2AG) and demonstrate the expression of the endocannabinoid receptor CB1 and cannabiniodes inactivating enzyme: fatty acid amino hydrolase ( FAAH) in these same cells. Using specific inhibitors and antagonists of these molecules can demonstrate how the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and the formation of neurospheres, a process mediated by the endocannabinoid receptor CB1. They also describe the signal transduction pathways involved in the activation of the proliferation of neural progenitors are the pathway of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase / Akt pathway and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).

The results presented show that endocannabinoids constitute a new group of signals that regulate proliferation of neuronal progenitors, thus opening new paths for therapeutic cell proliferation in the adult brain.