Development of CB2 selective agonists as potential anti-atherogenic drugs

This research collaboration between Drs Greaves and Russell arose directly out of a BHF CRE PIs dinner at New College and led to a significant collaboration between two D Phil students, a pharmacologist
in the Dunn School of Pathology and a medicinal chemist in the CRL. This chemical biology collaboration resulted in two peer reviewed research papers that helped to clarify the role of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor in macrophage chemotaxis and inflammation in atherosclerosis.

Publications linked to this award:

1. Taylor L, Christou I, Kapellos TS, Buchan A, Brodermann MH, Gianella-Borradori M, Russell A, Iqbal AJ, Greaves DR. Primary Macrophage Chemotaxis Induced by Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonists Occurs Independently of the CB2 Receptor. Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 2;5:10682. doi: 10.1038/srep10682.
2. Gianella-Borradori M, Christou I, Bataille CJ, Cross RL, Wynne GM, Greaves DR, Russell AJ. Ligand-based virtual screening identifies a family of selective cannabinoid receptor 2 agonists. Bioorg Med Chem. 2015 Jan 1;23(1):241-63. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.11.002.