Abstract
Marijuana has widespread use, both as a recreational drug and as an anti-emetic obtained by prescription of a synthesized version (Marinol). A number of laboratories, including this one, have been concerned with the effect of marijuana and its components on the immune response. In 1974, Nahas et al., (1 ) reported a decrease in the ability of lymphocytes obtained from chronic marijuana smokers to proliferate to mitogens or allogeneic antigens in vitro. Since this time, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the most psychoactive component of marijuana, has been shown to impact on cell proliferation in general (2,3), as well as on specific cell types including effector functions of NK cells (4,5), neutrophils (6) and macrophages (7,8). Further, there is increasing evidence that THC influences production of hormones and cytokines including ß-endorphins, plasma prolactin, and various cytokines including IL-2 and interferon (9,10).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
G. G. Nahas, N. Succiu-Foca, J. Armand, et al., Inhibition of cellular mediated immunity in marihuanasmokers, Science, 183:419 (1974).
T. W. Klein, C. A. Newton, R. Widen, H. Friedman, The Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte mitogen responses, J.Immunopharm., 7:451 (1985).
S. Pross, Y. Nakano, R. Widen, S. McHugh, R. Widen, T. Klein, H. Friedman, Contrasting effects ofTHC on adult murine lymph node and spleen cell populations stimulated with mitogen or anti-CD3antibody, Immunopharmacol and Immunotoxicol. 14:675 (1992).
S. Specter, M. Rivenbark, C. Newton, Y. Kawakami, G. Lancz, Prevention and reversal of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol induced depression of natural killer cell activity by interleukin 2, Int. J.Immunopharm., 11:63 (1989).
T. W. Klein, C. Newton, H. Friedman, Inhibition of natural killer cell function by marijuanacomponents, J. Tax. Environ. Hlth., 20:321 (1987).
J. Y. Djeu, M. Wang, H. Friedman, Adverse effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on humanneutrophil function, Adv. Exp. Med. Biol., 288:57 (1991).
G. A. Cabral, E. M. Mishkin, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits macrophage protein expression inresponse to bacterial immunomodulators, J. Toxicol. Environ. Hlth., 26:175 (1989).
S. Specter, G. Lancz, D. Goodfellow, Suppression of human macrophage function in vitro by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, J. Leuk. Biol., 50:423 (1991).
D. K. Blanchard, C. Newton, T. W. Klein, W. E. Stewart, II, H. Friedman, In vitro and in vivosuppressive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on interferon production by murine spleen cells,Int. J. Immunopharmacol. 8:819 (1986).
Y. Nakano, S. H. Pross, H. Friedman, Modulation of IL-2 activity by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)following stimulation with Con A, PHA, or anti-CD3 antibody, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 201:1165(1992).
D. Segre, R. A. Miller, G. N. Abraham, W. Weigle, H. R. Warner, Workshop report: Aging and theimmune system, Aging: Immunol. and Infect. Dis. 1:255 (1988).
R. A. Miller, Aging and immune function, Int. Rev. Cytol. 124:187 (1991).
K. Weite, R. Mertersmann, Human interleukin 2: Biochemistry, physiology, and possible pathogeneticrole in immunodeficiency syndromes, Cancer Investigation 3:35 (1985).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pross, S., Nakano, Y., Bowen, S., Widen, R., Friedman, H. (1993). Effects of Marijuana on Spleen Lymphocytes from Mice of Different Age Groups. In: Friedman, H., Klein, T.W., Specter, S. (eds) Drugs of Abuse, Immunity, and AIDS. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 335. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2980-4_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2980-4_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6297-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2980-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive