Cannabinoids enhance human B-cell growth at low nanomolar concentrations

FEBS Lett. 1995 Aug 7;369(2-3):177-82. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(95)00746-v.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of cannabinoid ligands on human tonsillar B-cells activated either through cross-linking of surface immunoglobulins or ligation of the CD40 antigen. The two synthetic cannabinoids, CP55,940 and WIN55212-2, as well as delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, caused a dose-dependent increase of B-cell proliferation and displayed EC50 at low nanomolar concentrations. This cannabinoid-induced enhancing activity was inhibited by pertussis toxin which suggested a G-protein-coupled receptor process. In addition, the absence of antagonistic effect of SR141716A, a specific CB1 receptor antagonist, together with the demonstration that human B-cells displayed large amount of CB2 receptor mRNAs, led us to assume that the growth enhancing activity observed on B-cells at very low concentrations of cannabinoids could be mediated through the CB2 receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Base Sequence
  • Benzoxazines
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Cannabinoids / chemical synthesis
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cyclohexanols / pharmacology*
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Morpholines / pharmacology*
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology*
  • Palatine Tonsil
  • Pertussis Toxin
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Drug / physiology*
  • Rimonabant
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • Benzoxazines
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cyclohexanols
  • Ligands
  • Morpholines
  • Naphthalenes
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrazoles
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella
  • (3R)-((2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-((4-morpholinyl)methyl)pyrrolo-(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphthalenyl))methanone
  • Dronabinol
  • 3-(2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl)-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol
  • DNA
  • Pertussis Toxin
  • Rimonabant