Cannabinoid receptors and the cytokine network.
Splenocyte cultures from BALB/c mice were treated with THC and mitogen and shown to produce less Th1 cytokine, IFN gamma, and more Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10. This suggested that drug treatment caused a shift in the development of Th1 and Th2 cells. In studies designed to look at molecular mechanisms, the CBI antagonist, SR141716A, did not attenuate the THC enhancement of IL-4 production, but pertussis toxin attenuated the drug effect and the CB2 agonist, JWH-051, increased IL-4 production similar to THC. These results suggest that cannabinoids may increase Th2 development and IL-4 production in cultured immune cells through the activity of the CB2 receptor subtype. Studies are currently in progress to further define the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved.
Klein
T W
TW
University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Tampa 33612, USA.
Newton
C
C
Friedman
H
H
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077285:Rimonabant; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D013759:Dronabinol; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D000077285:Rimonabant