PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Herring, Amy C.
AU  - Kaminski, Norbert E.
TI  - Cannabinol-Mediated Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB, cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein, and Interleukin-2 Secretion by Activated Thymocytes
DP  - 1999 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
PG  - 1156--1163
VI  - 291
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/291/3/1156.short
4100  - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/291/3/1156.full
SO  - J Pharmacol Exp Ther1999 Dec 01; 291
AB  - Cannabinol (CBN), an immunosuppressive cannabinoid and ligand for the peripheral cannabinoid receptor CB2, inhibits the cAMP signaling cascade in forskolin-stimulated thymocytes. The objective of the present studies was to further characterize the mechanism of CBN immune modulation by investigating its effects on interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion, cAMP response element (CRE), and κB DNA binding activity in phorbol ester (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, PMA) plus calcium ionophore (PMA/Io)-activated thymocytes. PMA/Io treatment induced CRE and κB DNA binding activity that was attenuated in the presence of CBN. A concomitant and concentration-related inhibition of IL-2 also was produced by CBN in PMA/Io-activated thymocytes. PMA/Io induced two CRE DNA binding complexes, a major complex consisting of a cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-1 homodimer, and a minor CREB-1/activating transcription factor (ATF)-2 complex. Both CRE complexes were inhibited by CBN. Conversely, two κB DNA binding complexes were observed, but only one was PMA/Io-inducible. However, the DNA binding activity of both complexes was diminished in the presence of CBN. The PMA/Io-inducible κB complex was a p65/c-Rel heterodimer. Analysis of up-stream regulation revealed a decrease in phosphorylated CREB/ATF nuclear proteins in PMA/Io-activated thymocytes after CBN treatment. Similarly, CBN prevented the phosphorylation-dependent degradation of the nuclear factor-κB inhibitory protein IκB-α. These results provide a potential link between the CBN-mediated inhibition of thymocyte function, including IL-2 production, and the inhibition of two critical transcription factor families, CREB/ATF and NF-κB/Rel. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics