Myocardial maladaptation to pressure overload in CB2 receptor-deficient mice

Abstract Background Adaptation to aortic valve stenosis leads to myocardial hypertrophy, which has been associated with inflammation, fibrosis and activation of the endocannabinoid system. Since the endocannabinoid system and the CB2 receptor provide cardioprotection and modulate immune response in experimental ischemia, we investigated the role of CB2 in a mouse model of cardiac pressure overload. Methods Transverse aortic constriction was performed in CB2 receptor-deficient (Cnr2−/−) mice and their wild-type littermates (Cnr2+/+). After echocardiography and Millar left heart catheter hemodynamic evaluation hearts were processed for histological, cellular and molecular analyses. Results Th…