Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol regulates Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in activated human T cells
Abstract
Human leukocytes express cannabinoid (CB) receptors, suggesting a role for both endogenous ligands and Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as immune modulators. To evaluate this, human T cells were stimulated with allogeneic dendritic cells (DC) in the presence or absence of THC (0.625-5 microg/ml). THC suppressed T cell proliferation, inhibited the production of interferon-gamma and shifted the balance of T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines. Intracellular cytokine staining demonstrated that THC reduced both the percentage and mean fluorescence intensity of activated T cells capable of producing interferon-gamma, with variable effects on the number of T cells capable of producing interleukin-4. Exposure to THC also decreased steady-state levels of mRNA encoding for Th1 cytokines, while increasing mRNA levels for Th2 cytokines. The CB2 receptor antagonist, SR144528, abrogated the majority of these effects. We conclude that cannabinoids have the potential to regulate the activation and balance of human Th1/Th2 cells by a CB2 receptor-dependent pathway.
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The endocannabinoid system modulates inflammation by shifting the balance of CD4+ Helper T cells through suppression of Th1 proinflammatory activity and promotion of Th2 anti-inflammatory activity.
“The endocannabinoid system also modulates inflammation by shifting the balance of CD4 + 'Helper' T cells through suppression of Th1 proinflammatory activity and promotion of Th2 anti-inflammatory activity (Yuan et al, 2002).”
From The endogenous cannabinoid system: a budding source of targets for treating inflammatory and neuropathic pain (2018) · cites this paper as Yuan et al, 2002
THC inhibited the proliferation of human T cells stimulated with antigen-primed dendritic cells.
“For example, THC inhibited the proliferation of human T cells stimulated with antigenprimed dendritic cells (Yuan et al, 2002).”
From The endogenous cannabinoid system: a budding source of targets for treating inflammatory and neuropathic pain (2018) · cites this paper as Yuan et al, 2002
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References 43 · Cited by 234
- Authors
- Yuan, M., Kiertscher, S. M., Cheng, Q., Zoumalan, R., Tashkin, D. P., & Roth, M. D.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Roth, Michael D
- Venue
- Journal of Neuroimmunology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-12
- Volume
- 133
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 124-131
- ISSN
- 0165-5728 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2080574245
- Cited by
- 234
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 7.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Neuroimmunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA03018-16)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotoxicology and immune responses
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Keywords
- delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinoids, CB2 receptor, Th1/Th2 balance, T cell activation, interferon-gamma, IL-4, dendritic cell activation, T cell proliferation, cytokine mRNA expression, SR144528, immunomodulation
- MeSH terms
- Cannabinoids, Marijuana Abuse, Cell Division, Cells, Cultured, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-2, Receptors, Drug, RNA, Messenger, Dronabinol, Down-Regulation, Interleukin-4, Cytokines, Th1 Cells, Th2 Cells, Receptors, Cannabinoid
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