title: Cannabinoids and Viral Infections.
abstract: Exogenous cannabinoids or receptor antagonists may influence many cellular and systemic host responses. The anti-inflammatory activity of cannabinoids may compromise host inflammatory responses to acute viral infections, but may be beneficial in persistent infections. In neurons, where innate antiviral/pro-resolution responses include the activation of NOS-1, inhibition of Ca(2+) activity by cannabinoids, increased viral replication and disease. This review examines the effect(s) of cannabinoids and their antagonists in viral infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Center for Neural Science, NYU Cancer Institute and Department of Microbiology, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY, 10003, USA; carol.reiss@nyu.edu ; Tel.: +1-212-998-8269;
authors.forename: Carol Shoshkes
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Reiss