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Updated: May 31, 2026

Assessment of Lymphocyte Migration in an Ex Vivo Transmigration System
Published on: September 20, 2019
Regulatory effect of cannabinoid receptor agonist on chemokine-induced lymphocyte chemotaxis
Takashi Tanikawa1, Kohta Kurohane, Yasuyuki Imai
1Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology and the Global COE Program, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 52–1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422–8526, Japan.
Abstract:
Cannabinoids elicit biological responses through two types of specific receptors, CB1 and CB2. Immune cells including naïve B-lymphocytes are known to selectively express peripheral cannabinoid receptors, CB2. Although the immunosuppressive effects of cannabinoids have become widely known, the mechanisms underlying their effects are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrated that splenic lymphocytes migrated toward a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2. There is an optimal concentration range for induction of lymphocyte migration and a high dose fails to induce cell migration. Furthermore, a high dose of WIN55,212-2 significantly inhibited CXCL12-induced chemotaxis of lymphocytes. The inhibitory effect was transient and reversible. The inhibition was also observed when purified B-lymphocytes were used for CXCL12-induced chemotaxis. These results provide novel information regarding the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids on the immune system.
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