# Neuroimmune behaviorial effects of CB2 cannabinoid receptors

> **NIH NIH R15** · WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $412,202

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The neuronal function of CB2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2Rs) has been less investigated for
central nervous system function, because CB2Rs were thought to be predominantly in
immune cells in the periphery and were called peripheral CB2Rs. The available CB2R gene
knock (KO) mice are partial KO mice that are not suitable for tissue- and cell-type specific
behavioral, molecular and pharmacological studies. The purpose of this study is to determine
the functional role(s) of CB2Rs in the nervous and immune system using CB2R conditional
knockout (cKO), Cx3cr1-Cnr2 and DAT-Cnr2 mice that we have created and produced, and
validated the F2 generation for the deletion of CB2Rs in microglia and dopamine (DA)
neurons respectively. In this proposal, we test the hypothesis that CB2Rs expressed in
microglia cells and dopamine neurons differentially modulate behavioral responses in the
CB2R cKO mice models. This hypothesis will be tested in-vivo and in-vitro in the CB2R cKO
mice with the following specific aims including the Institutional objective. 1) determine the
behavioral effects and functional role of CB2Rs in the CB2 cKO, Cx3cr1-Cnr2 and DAT-Cnr2
mice and their controls; 2) define the neuro-immuno-activity of CB2Rs in microglia and DA
neurons; and 3) provide research training opportunities to students and strengthen research
environment at a predominantly undergraduate institution. The results will provide insights
into the behavioral effects associated with the modulation of CB2Rs and a mouse model to
screen cannabinoids and other classes of drugs for conditions of neuro-immune disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9964385
- **Project number:** 1R15AA027909-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** EMMANUEL S ONAIVI
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $412,202
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-25 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9964385

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9964385, Neuroimmune behaviorial effects of CB2 cannabinoid receptors (1R15AA027909-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9964385. Licensed CC0.

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