Anandamide and Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol directly inhibit cells of the immune system via CB2 receptors.
This study shows that two cannabinoids, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and anandamide, induce dose-related immunosuppression in both the primary and secondary in vitro plaque-forming cell assays of antibody formation. The immunosuppression induced by both compounds could be blocked by SR144528, an antagonist specific for the CB(2) receptor, but not by SR141716, a CB(1) antagonist. These studies are novel in that they show that both anandamide and THC are active in the nanomolar to picomolar (for anandamide) range in these assays of immune function, and that both mediate their effects directly on cells of the immune system through the CB(2) receptor.
Eisenstein
Toby K
TK
Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States. tke@temple.edu
Meissler
Joseph J
JJ
Wilson
Qiana
Q
Gaughan
John P
JP
Adler
Martin W
MW
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001892:Camphanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005260:Female; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D012397:Rosette Formation / Q000379:methods
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D001892:Camphanes; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; C110630:SR 144528; D013759:Dronabinol; C078814:anandamide