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Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol regulates Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in activated human T cells

Michael Yuan1, Sylvia M Kiertscher, Qingwen Cheng

  • 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|November 26, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) modulates human T cell responses by suppressing proliferation and altering cytokine production. These effects are primarily mediated through the CB2 receptor pathway, impacting T helper 1/T helper 2 cell balance.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Human leukocytes possess cannabinoid (CB) receptors, indicating potential roles for endogenous ligands and Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in immune modulation.
  • Cannabinoids are known to interact with the immune system, but their specific effects on human T cell activation and cytokine profiles require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on human T cells.
  • To determine the role of cannabinoid receptors, specifically CB2, in mediating THC's effects on T cell activation and cytokine production.

Main Methods:

  • Human T cells were stimulated with allogeneic dendritic cells in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of THC.
  • Assessed T cell proliferation, interferon-gamma production, and T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine balance using intracellular cytokine staining and mRNA analysis.
  • Utilized the CB2 receptor antagonist SR144528 to probe the receptor-dependent mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • THC significantly suppressed T cell proliferation and inhibited interferon-gamma production.
  • THC exposure shifted the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance towards Th2, decreasing Th1 cytokine mRNA and increasing Th2 cytokine mRNA.
  • The CB2 receptor antagonist SR144528 reversed the majority of THC-induced immunomodulatory effects.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoids, particularly THC, can regulate human T cell activation and Th1/Th2 cell balance.
  • These immunomodulatory effects are predominantly mediated through a CB2 receptor-dependent pathway.
  • Findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for cannabinoids in managing immune responses.

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