Differential suppression of T-cell subpopulations by thc (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the major psychoactive component of marijuana, has been shown to suppress various immune functions in vivo and in vitro. THC suppresses murine T-lymphocyte proliferation; however, the effects on T-cell subsets remain unclear. We have stimulated cultured murine splenocytes with the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) while exposing them to varying concentrations of THC. After three days, the cells were analyzed by the fluorescent activated cell sorter for the following T-cell markers--Thy1, L3T4 and Ly2. The Ly2 cells represent the suppressor/effector T-cells while L3T4 cells represent the helper T-cell subpopulations. The results show that the dose response suppressive effect of THC on T-cell proliferation reflects a preferential inhibition of Ly2 vs L3T4 cells. The effects of THC on other functional parameters are in the process of investigation.
Pross
S H
SH
University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612.
Klein
T W
TW
Newton
C A
CA
Smith
J
J
Widen
R
R
Friedman
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D013759:Dronabinol