Endocannabinoids are endogenously-generated lipid-based mediators that can bind to cannabinoid receptors. Their important role for the regulation of organ function was first identified in the central nervous system. Then, it became clear that endocannabinoids are regulators of the homeostasis of various organs.

We are especially interested in the role of endocannabinoids for the modulation of pulmonary blood pressure and airway tone including the underlying signaling pathways.

In a translational approach we also examine the therapeutic application of endocannabinoids in disease models of pulmonary hypertension, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in small animals.

The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) elevates pulmonary arterial pressure via fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Left: In the isolated perfused lung model of mouse AEA induces a stronger pulmonary arterial pressure increase than the vasoconstrictor serotonin (5-HT). Right: Immunohistochemistry reveals a prominent expression of FAAH (red) in the smooth muscle layer (alpha smooth muscle actin, green) of murine pulmonary arteries, nuclei are indicated by hoechst staining (blue). (Wenzel et al. Endocannabinoid anandamide mediates hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, PNAS, 2013)