Cannabidiol attenuates delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions via suppressing T-cell and macrophage reactivity.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate the effects cannabidiol (CBD) on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions and antigen-induced T-cell cytokine expression.


METHODS
DTH was induced by subcutaneous ovalbumin (OVA) challenge to the footpads of mice sensitized with OVA. Inflammatory reactions were measured by footpad swelling and histological analysis. Antigen-induced cytokine expression by OVA-primed splenocytes was measured using ELISA and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
CBD (1-10 mg/kg) administration, in a dose-dependent fashion, significantly attenuated inflammatory reactions associated with DTH in the footpads of mice sensitized and challenged with OVA. Histological examination revealed that CBD suppressed the infiltration of T cells and macrophages, and the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, two pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in DTH in the inflammatory site. In contrast, the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 in the footpads was enhanced by CBD administration. In addition, CBD at concentrations devoid of cytotoxic effects (1-4 micromol/L) attenuated OVA-induced IFN-γ production by OVA-primed splenocytes, whereas IL-4 was unaffected.


CONCLUSIONS
CBD curbs DTH reactions via suppressing the infiltration and functional activity of T cells and macrophages in the inflammatory site, suggesting a therapeutic potential for CBD for the treatment of type IV hypersensitivity.
Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, China.
Der-zen
DZ
LIU
Chieh-min
CM
HU
Chung-hsiung
CH
HUANG
Shiaw-pyng
SP
WEY
Tong-rong
TR
JAN
D000818:Animals; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D002185:Cannabidiol; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin