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1: Adv Exp Med Biol. 1998;437:215-22.Links

Cannabinoid receptors and the cytokine network.

Klein TW, Newton C, Friedman H.

University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Tampa 33612, USA.

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.

PMID: 9666274 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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