Abstract
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.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
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Animals
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Cytokines / drug effects*
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Cytokines / metabolism
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Dronabinol / pharmacology*
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Drug Synergism
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Female
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Interferon-gamma / drug effects
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Interferon-gamma / metabolism
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Interleukin-10 / metabolism
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Interleukin-4 / metabolism
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Pertussis Toxin
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Piperidines / pharmacology
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Pyrazoles / pharmacology
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Receptors, Cannabinoid
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Receptors, Drug / agonists
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Receptors, Drug / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptors, Drug / metabolism*
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Rimonabant
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Th1 Cells / immunology
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Th2 Cells / immunology
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Virulence Factors, Bordetella / pharmacology
Substances
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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Cytokines
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Piperidines
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Pyrazoles
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Receptors, Cannabinoid
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Receptors, Drug
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Virulence Factors, Bordetella
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Interleukin-10
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Interleukin-4
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Dronabinol
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Interferon-gamma
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Pertussis Toxin
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Rimonabant