Do endogenous cannabinoids contribute to HIV-mediated immune failure?
The failure of the immune system to mount a successful attack on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an old enigma for AIDS research. The high mutational capacity of HIV, which unremittingly confuses the immune system, is a major factor in immune failure. But this alone cannot fully explain the certain and inescapable failure of the immune system, leading to full-blown AIDS. Here, we propose the hypothesis that endogenous cannabinoids, derived mostly from macrophages, might participate in the general failure of the immune system in HIV-infected individuals.
Gurwitz
D
D
National Laboratory for the Genetics of Israeli Populations, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. gurwitz@post.tau.ac.il
Kloog
Y
Y
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000378:metabolism; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160 / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide