Cortical neuroinflammation contributes to long-term cognitive dysfunctions following adolescent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol treatment in female rats.
Over 180 million people consume cannabis globally. Cannabis use peaks during adolescence with a trend for continued consumption by adults. Notably, several studies have shown that long-term and heavy cannabis use during adolescence can impair brain maturation and predispose to neurodevelopmental disorders, although the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this association remain largely unknown. In this study, we evaluated whether, in female rats, chronic administration of increasing doses of the psychotropic plant-derived cannabis constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), during adolescence (PND 35-45) could affect microglia function in the long-term. Furthermore, we explored a possible contribution of microglia to the development of THC-induced alterations in mood and cognition in adult female rats. Present data indicate that adolescent THC administration induces a persistent neuroinflammatory state specifically localized within the adult prefrontal cortex (PFC), characterized by increased expression of the pro-inflammatory markers, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2, and reduction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. This neuroinflammatory phenotype is associated with down-regulation of CB1 receptor on neuronal cells and up-regulation of CB2 on microglia cells, conversely. Interestingly, blocking microglia activation with ibudilast during THC treatment significantly attenuates short-term memory impairments in adulthood, simultaneously preventing the increases in TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2 levels as well as the up-regulation of CB2 receptors on microglia cells. In contrast, THC-induced depressive-like behaviors were unaffected by ibudilast treatment. Our findings demonstrate that adolescent THC administration is associated with persistent neuroinflammation within the PFC and provide evidence for a causal association between microglial activation and the development long-term cognitive deficits induced by adolescent THC treatment.
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy; Zardi Gori Foundation, Milan, Italy.
Erica
E
Zamberletti
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy.
Marina
M
Gabaglio
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy.
Pamela
P
Prini
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy.
Tiziana
T
Rubino
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy; Zardi Gori Foundation, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: daniela.parolaro@uninsubria.it.
Daniela
D
Parolaro
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000633:toxicity*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D046353:Immobility Response, Tonic / Q000187:drug effects; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology; D007212:Indolizines; D011720:Pyrazoles
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D016207:Cytokines; D013759:Dronabinol; D006213:Hallucinogens; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; C038366:ibudilast; D007212:Indolizines; D011720:Pyrazoles
Adolescence; Cognition; Neuroinflammation; Prefrontal cortex; Rats; THC