“The endocannabinoid arachidonoyl ethanolamine (anandamide) is a lipid transmitter synthesized and released “on demand” by neurons in the brain. Anandamide is also generated by macrophages where its endotoxin (LPS)-induced synthesis has been implicated in the hypotension of septic shock and advanced liver cirrhosis. Anandamide can be generated from its membrane precursor, N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) through cleavage by a phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD).

Here we document a biosynthetic pathway for anandamide in mouse brain…

Both PTPN22 and endocannabinoids have been implicated in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that the PLC/phosphatase pathway of anandamide synthesis may be a pharmacotherapeutic target.

The observed exclusive role of the PLC/phosphatase pathway in LPS-induced AEA synthesis may offer therapeutic targets for the treatment of these conditions.

Furthermore, cannabinoids have immunosuppressive effects in autoimmune models of multiple sclerosis and diabetes, and mice deficient in CB1 receptors show increased susceptibility to neuronal damage found in autoimmune encephalitis…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1557387/#!po=23.3333