RNA-seq Analysis of δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-treated T Cells Reveals Altered Gene Expression Profiles That Regulate Immune Response and Cell Proliferation

Effects of in utero delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure on fetal and infant musculoskeletal development in a preclinical nonhuman primate model

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a major role in the maintenance of bodily homeostasis and adaptive response to external insults. It has been shown to regulate crucial physiological processes and behaviors, spanning nervous functions, anxiety, cognition, and pain sensation. Due to this broad activity, the ECS has been explored as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of select diseases. However, until there is a more comprehensive understanding of how ECS activation by exogenous and endogenous ligands manifests across disparate tissues and cells, discretion should be exercised. Previous work has investigated how endogenous cannabinoid signaling impacts skeletal muscle development and differentiation. However, the effects of activation of the ECS by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the most psychoactive component of cannabis) on skeletal muscle development, particularly in utero, remain unclear. To address this research gap, we used a highly translational non-human primate model to examine the potential impact of chronic prenatal THC exposure on fetal and infant musculoskeletal development. RNA was isolated from the skeletal muscle and analyzed for differential gene expression using a Nanostring nCounter neuroinflammatory panel comprised of 770 genes. Histomorphological evaluation of muscle morphology and composition was also performed. Our findings suggest that while prenatal THC exposure had narrow overall effects on fetal and infant muscle development, the greatest impacts were observed within pathways related to inflammation and cytokine signaling, which suggest the potential for tissue damage and atrophy. This pilot study establishes feasibility to evaluate neuroinflammation due to prenatal THC exposure and provides rationale for follow-on studies that explore the longer-term implications and functional consequences encountered by offspring as they continue to mature.

Medical cannabis and its effect on oncological outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer treated with PARP inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) play a pivotal role in ovarian cancer management. With medical cannabis emerging as a novel component of supportive care, this study investigated the impact of medical cannabis use on oncological outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing PARPi therapy.

METHODS

The study included patients from a single institution database treated for ovarian cancer between January 2014 and January 2020 who received PARPi maintenance therapy in a first-line or recurrent disease setting after a confirmed response to platinum-based treatment. The study categorized patients as cannabis users and cannabis-naïve. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to assess the effects of medical cannabis use on the duration of PARPi therapy, progression-free survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Among the eligible patients (n=93), most were cannabis-naïve (69%, n=64) while the rest used medical cannabis (31%, n=29). Medical cannabis use rates were comparable for patients receiving PARPi therapy post-primary treatment or for recurrence (42%, n=9, vs 27%, n=20; p=0.1). Both groups exhibited similar median duration for PARPi therapy (12.1 vs 9.5 months; p=0.89) and progression-free survival (20 vs 21 months; p=0.83). Kaplan-Meier analysis detected no differences in progression-free survival associated with cannabis use. Although cannabis users had an extended overall survival compared with the cannabis-naïve group (129.3 vs 99 months; p=0.03), cannabis use was insignificant for overall survival on multivariate analysis (p=0.10). Multivariate analysis showed stage IV at diagnosis (p=0.02) to be the sole factor associated with progression-free survival (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Medical cannabis usage in patients receiving PARPi treatment showed no association with duration of PARPi therapy, progression-free survival, or overall survival.

Metabolic memory of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in pluripotent stem cells and primordial germ cells-like cells

Cannabis, the most consumed illicit psychoactive drug in the world, is increasingly used by pregnant women. However, while cannabinoid receptors are expressed in the early embryo, the impact of phytocannabinoids exposure on early embryonic processes is lacking. Here, we leverage a stepwise in vitro differentiation system that captures the early embryonic developmental cascade to investigate the impact of exposure to the most abundant phytocannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). We demonstrate that Δ9-THC increases the proliferation of naive mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) but not of their primed counterpart. Surprisingly, this increased proliferation, dependent on the CB1 receptor binding, is only associated with moderate transcriptomic changes. Instead, Δ9-THC capitalizes on ESCs' metabolic bivalence by increasing their glycolytic rates and anabolic capabilities. A memory of this metabolic rewiring is retained throughout differentiation to Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells in the absence of direct exposure and is associated with an alteration of their transcriptional profile. These results represent the first in-depth molecular characterization of the impact of Δ9-THC exposure on early stages of germline development.

Metabolic memory of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in pluripotent stem cells and primordial germ cells-like cells

Cannabis, the most consumed illicit psychoactive drug in the world, is increasingly used by pregnant women. However, while cannabinoid receptors are expressed in the early embryo, the impact of phytocannabinoids exposure on early embryonic processes is lacking. Here, we leverage a stepwise in vitro differentiation system that captures early embryonic developmental cascade to investigate the impact of exposure to the most abundant phytocannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). We demonstrate that Δ9-THC increases the proliferation of naïve mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) but not of their primed counterpart. Surprisingly, this increased proliferation, dependent on the CB1 receptor binding, is only associated with moderate transcriptomic changes. Instead, Δ9-THC capitalizes on ESCs' metabolic bivalence by increasing their glycolytic rates and anabolic capabilities. A memory of this metabolic rewiring is retained throughout differentiation to Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells in the absence of direct exposure and is associated with an alteration of their transcriptional profile. These results represent the first in-depth molecular characterization of the impact of Δ9-THC exposure on early stages of germline development.

Transcriptional Alterations Induced by Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in the Brain and Gonads of Adult Medaka

With the legalization of marijuana smoking in several states of the United States and many other countries for medicinal and recreational use, the possibility of its release into the environment cannot be overruled. Currently, the environmental levels of marijuana metabolites are not monitored on a regular basis, and their stability in the environment is not well understood. Laboratory studies have linked delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) exposure with behavioral abnormalities in some fish species; however, their effects on endocrine organs are less understood. To understand the effects of THC on the brain and gonads, we exposed adult medaka (Oryzias latipes, Hd-rR strain, both male and female) to 50 ug/L THC for 21 days spanning their complete spermatogenic and oogenic cycles. We examined transcriptional responses of the brain and gonads (testis and ovary) to Δ⁹-THC, particularly molecular pathways associated with behavioral and reproductive functions. The Δ⁹-THC effects were more profound in males than females. The Δ⁹-THC-induced differential expression pattern of genes in the brain of the male fish suggested pathways to neurodegenerative diseases and pathways to reproductive impairment in the testis. The present results provide insights into endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms due to environmental cannabinoid compounds.

The endocannabinoid system, a new gatekeeper in the pharmacology of human hepatocellular carcinoma

Despite numerous prevention methodologies and treatment options, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains as the third leading life-threatening cancer. It is thus pertinent to develop new treatment modality to fight this devastating carcinoma. Ample recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory and antitumor roles of the endocannabinoid system in various forms of cancers. Preclinical studies have also confirmed that cannabinoid therapy can be an optimal regimen for cancer treatments. The endocannabinoid system is involved in many cancer-related processes, including induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent apoptosis, autophagy, PITRK and ERK signaling pathways, cell invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes. Moreover, changes in signaling transduction of the endocannabinoid system can be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. Due to its pivotal role in lipid metabolism, the endocannabinoid system affects metabolic reprogramming as well as lipid content of exosomes. In addition, due to the importance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), several studies have examined the relationship between microRNAs and the endocannabinoid system in HCC. However, HCC is a pathological condition with high heterogeneity, and therefore using the endocannabinoid system for treatment has faced many controversies. While some studies favored a role of the endocannabinoid system in carcinogenesis and tumor induction, others exhibited the anticancer potential of endocannabinoids in HCC. In this review, specific studies delineating the relationship between endocannabinoids and HCC are examined. Based on collected findings, detailed studies of the molecular mechanism of endocannabinoids as well as preclinical studies for investigating therapeutic or carcinogenic impacts in HCC cancer are strongly suggested.

Receptor-mediated effects of Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages

Δ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹ -THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa. While research supports cannabinoids reduce inflammation, the consensus surrounding receptor(s)-mediated effects has yet to be established. Here, we investigated the receptor-mediated properties of Δ⁹ -THC and CBD on alveolar macrophages, an important pulmonary immune cell in direct contact with cannabinoids inhaled by cannabis smokers. MH-S cells, a mouse alveolar macrophage cell line, were exposed to Δ⁹ -THC and CBD, with and without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Outcomes included RNA-sequencing and cytokine analysis. Δ⁹ -THC and CBD alone did not affect the basal transcriptional response of MH-S cells. In response to LPS, Δ⁹ -THC and CBD significantly reduced the expression of numerous proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, an effect that was dependent on CB₂ . The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD but not Δ⁹ -THC were mediated through a reduction in signaling through nuclear factor-kappa B and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2. These results suggest that CBD and Δ⁹ -THC have potent immunomodulatory properties in alveolar macrophages, a cell type important in immune homeostasis in the lungs. Further investigation into the effects of cannabinoids on lung immune cells could lead to the identification of therapies that may ameliorate conditions characterized by inflammation.

Role of Gut Microbiota in Cannabinoid-Mediated Suppression of Inflammation

Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system have been well established to play a crucial role in the regulation of the immune response. Also, emerging data from numerous investigations unravel the imperative role of gut microbiota and their metabolites in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and gut barrier integrity. In this review, we concisely report the immunosuppressive mechanisms triggered by cannabinoids, and how they are closely associated with the alterations in the gut microbiome and metabolome following exposure to endogenous or exogenous cannabinoids. We discuss how cannabinoid-mediated induction of microbial secondary bile acids, short chain fatty acids, and indole metabolites, produced in the gut, can suppress inflammation even in distal organs. While clearly, more clinical studies are necessary to establish the cross talk between exo- or endocannabinoid system with the gut microbiome and the immune system, the current evidence opens a new avenue of cannabinoid-gut-microbiota-based therapeutics to regulate immunological disorders.

Cannabis significantly alters DNA methylation of the human ovarian follicle in a concentration-dependent manner

Cannabis is increasingly consumed by women of childbearing age, and the reproductive and epigenetic effects are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential epigenetic implications of cannabis use on the female ovarian follicle. Whole-genome methylation was assessed in granulosa cells from 14 matched case-control patients. Exposure status was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurements of five cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids in follicular fluid. DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina TruSeq Methyl Capture EPIC kit. Differential methylation, pathway analysis and correlation analysis were performed. We identified 3679 differentially methylated sites, with two-thirds affecting coding genes. A hotspot region on chromosome 9 was associated with two genomic features, a zinc-finger protein (ZFP37) and a long non-coding RNA (FAM225B). There were 2214 differentially methylated genomic features, 19 of which have been previously implicated in cannabis-related epigenetic modifications in other organ systems. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment in G protein-coupled receptor signaling, cellular transport, immune response and proliferation. Applying strict criteria, we identified 71 differentially methylated regions, none of which were previously annotated in this context. Finally, correlation analysis revealed 16 unique genomic features affected by cannabis use in a concentration-dependent manner. Of these, the histone methyltransferases SMYD3 and ZFP37 were hypomethylated, possibly implicating histone modifications as well. Herein, we provide the first DNA methylation profile of human granulosa cells exposed to cannabis. With cannabis increasingly legalized worldwide, further investigation into the heritability and functional consequences of these effects is critical for clinical consultation and for legalization guidelines.

Epigenetic Studies for Evaluation of NPS Toxicity: Focus on Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cathinones

In the recent decade, numerous new psychoactive substances (NPSs) have been added to the illicit drug market. These are synthetized to mimic the effects of classic drugs of abuse (i.e., cannabis, cocaine, etc.), with the purpose of bypassing substance legislations and increasing the pharmacotoxicological effects. To date, research into the acute pharmacological effects of new NPSs is ongoing and necessary in order to provide an appropriate contribution to public health. In fact, multiple examples of NPS-related acute intoxication and mortality have been recorded in the literature. Accordingly, several in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the pharmacotoxicological profiles of these compounds, revealing that they can cause adverse effects involving various organ systems (i.e., cardiovascular, respiratory effects) and highlighting their potential increased consumption risks. In this sense, NPSs should be regarded as a complex issue that requires continuous monitoring. Moreover, knowledge of long-term NPS effects is lacking. Because genetic and environmental variables may impact NPS responses, epigenetics may aid in understanding the processes behind the harmful events induced by long-term NPS usage. Taken together, “pharmacoepigenomics” may provide a new field of combined study on genetic differences and epigenetic changes in drug reactions that might be predictive in forensic implications.

Characterization of Altered Gene Expression and Histone Methylation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Regulating Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients

The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused >5 million deaths in the world. One of the leading causes of the severe form of COVID-19 is the production of massive amounts of proinflammatory cytokines. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone/DNA methylation, miRNA, and long noncoding RNA, are known to play important roles in the regulation of inflammation. In this study, we investigated if hospitalized COVID-19 patients exhibit alterations in epigenetic pathways in their PBMCs. We also compared gene expression profiles between healthy controls and COVID-19 patients. Despite individual variations, the expressions of many inflammation-related genes, such as arginase 1 and IL-1 receptor 2, were significantly upregulated in COVID-19 patients. We also found the expressions of coagulation-related genes Von Willebrand factor and protein S were altered in COVID-19 patients. The expression patterns of some genes, such as IL-1 receptor 2, correlated with their histone methylation marks. Pathway analysis indicated that most of those dysregulated genes were in the TGF-β, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-17 pathways. A targeting pathway revealed that the majority of those altered genes were targets of dexamethasone, which is an approved drug for COVID-19 treatment. We also found that the expression of bone marrow kinase on chromosome X, a member of TEC family kinases, was increased in the PBMCs of COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, some inhibitors of TEC family kinases have been used to treat COVID-19. Overall, this study provides important information toward identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for COVID-19 disease.

Interplay between the Cannabinoid System and microRNAs in Cancer

Cancer patients often use cannabinoids for alleviating symptoms induced by cancer pathogenesis and cancer treatment. This use of cannabinoids can have unexpected effects in cancer patients depending on the cancer type, resulting in either beneficial (e.g., anticancer) or adverse (e.g., oncogenic) effects. While cannabinoids can enhance the growth and progression of some cancers, they can also suppress the growth and progression of other cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms of such differential effects are poorly understood. miRNAs have been shown to be involved in driving the hallmarks of cancer, affecting cancer growth and progression as well as cancer therapy response. Although the understanding of the effects of cannabinoids and miRNAs as they relate to cancer continues to improve, the interplay between cannabinoid system and miRNAs in cancer pathogenesis and cancer treatment response is poorly understood. Investigation of such interactions between the cannabinoid system and miRNAs could provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of the differential effects of cannabinoids in cancer and can help predict and improve the prognosis of cancer patients.

Epigenetic Regulation of Cannabinoid-Mediated Attenuation of Inflammation and Its Impact on the Use of Cannabinoids to Treat Autoimmune Diseases

Chronic inflammation is considered to be a silent killer because it is the underlying cause of a wide range of clinical disorders, from cardiovascular to neurological diseases, and from cancer to obesity. In addition, there are over 80 different types of debilitating autoimmune diseases for which there are no cure. Currently, the drugs that are available to suppress chronic inflammation are either ineffective or overtly suppress the inflammation, thereby causing increased susceptibility to infections and cancer. Thus, the development of a new class of drugs that can suppress chronic inflammation is imperative. Cannabinoids are a group of compounds produced in the body (endocannabinoids) or found in cannabis (phytocannabinoids) that act through cannabinoid receptors and various other receptors expressed widely in the brain and immune system. In the last decade, cannabinoids have been well established experimentally to mediate anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that they suppress inflammation through multiple pathways, including apoptosis and inducing immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Interestingly, cannabinoids also mediate epigenetic alterations in genes that regulate inflammation. In the current review, we highlight how the epigenetic modulations caused by cannabinoids lead to the suppression of inflammation and help identify novel pathways that can be used to target autoimmune diseases.

Cannabinoid-induced changes in the immune system: The role of microRNAs

Naturally occurring cannabinoids have been used by humans for their medicinal benefits for over several millennia. While the use of cannabinoids has been strictly regulated in the past century, easing of state regulations has been associated with an increase in use of cannabinoids in the United States. The potential therapeutic applications of cannabinoids have been explored and the anti-inflammatory effect of cannabis-derived cannabinoids has been well-documented. The pharmacological effects of cannabinoids are governed by the modulation of cannabinoid receptors, CB₁ and CB₂, expressed in the central and peripheral tissues. Moreover, growing scientific evidence suggests that the cannabinoid-mediated changes in the immune system involves change in expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are short non-coding, single-stranded RNA which have the ability to affect post-translational regulation of gene expression. Studies over the past decade have investigated the changes in expression of miRNAs following treatment of various components of the immune system with different chemical modulators of the cannabinoid receptors. Such studies have highlighted the key role played by various miRNAs in driving the observed immunomodulatory effects of cannabinoids. The aim of this review article, therefore, is to summarize the role of miRNAs behind the observed effects of cannabinoids on the overall immune system, rather than focusing on a single disease state.

Linking long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and doping detection

In the fight against doping, efficient methods for detecting substances or biomarkers are still being improved. Indirect methods are an interesting alternative for the detection of substances misuse longitudinally. Here we shed lights the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a possible biomarkers due to their characteristics such as tissue-specific expression and strict regulation.

Single-cell Transcriptome Mapping Identifies Common and Cell-type Specific Genes Affected by Acute Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Humans

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known to modulate immune response in peripheral blood cells. The mechanisms of THC's effects on gene expression in human immune cells remains poorly understood. Combining a within-subject design with single cell transcriptome mapping, we report that THC acutely alters gene expression in 15,973 blood cells. We identified 294 transcriptome-wide significant genes among eight cell types including 69 common genes and 225 cell-type-specific genes affected by THC administration, including those genes involving in immune response, cytokine production, cell proliferation and apoptosis. We revealed distinct transcriptomic sub-clusters affected by THC in major immune cell types where THC perturbed cell-type-specific intracellular gene expression correlations. Gene set enrichment analysis further supports the findings of THC's common and cell-type-specific effects on immune response and cell toxicity. This comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides important insights into THC's acute effects on immune function that may have important medical implications.

The Epigenetics of the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system (ES) is a cell-signalling system widely distributed in biological tissues that includes endogenous ligands, receptors, and biosynthetic and hydrolysing machineries. The impairment of the ES has been associated to several pathological conditions like behavioural, neurological, or metabolic disorders and infertility, suggesting that the modulation of this system may be critical for the maintenance of health status and disease treatment. Lifestyle and environmental factors can exert long-term effects on gene expression without any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA, affecting health maintenance and influencing both disease load and resistance. This potentially reversible "epigenetic" modulation of gene expression occurs through the chemical modification of DNA and histone protein tails or the specific production of regulatory non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Recent findings demonstrate the epigenetic modulation of the ES in biological tissues; in the same way, endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists induce widespread or gene-specific epigenetic changes with the possibility of trans-generational epigenetic inheritance in the offspring explained by the transmission of deregulated epigenetic marks in the gametes. Therefore, this review provides an update on the epigenetics of the ES, with particular attention on the emerging role in reproduction and fertility.

Cannabis Sativa Revisited-Crosstalk between microRNA Expression, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Endocannabinoid Response System in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis

Critically ill patients with sepsis require a multidisciplinary approach, as this situation implies multiorgan distress, with most of the bodily biochemical and cellular systems being affected by the condition. Moreover, sepsis is characterized by a multitude of biochemical interactions and by dynamic changes of the immune system. At the moment, there is a gap in our understanding of the cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms involved in sepsis. One of the systems intensely studied in recent years is the endocannabinoid signaling pathway, as light was shed over a series of important interactions of cannabinoid receptors with biochemical pathways, specifically for sepsis. Furthermore, a series of important implications on inflammation and the immune system that are induced by the activity of cannabinoid receptors stimulated by the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been noticed. One of the most important is their ability to reduce the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators and the modulation of immune mechanisms. Different studies have reported that cannabinoids can reduce oxidative stress at mitochondrial and cellular levels. The aim of this review paper was to present, in detail, the important mechanisms modulated by the endocannabinoid signaling pathway, as well as of the molecular and cellular links it has with sepsis. At the same time, we wish to present the possible implications of cannabinoids in the most important biological pathways involved in sepsis, such as inflammation, redox activity, immune system, and epigenetic expression.

Combination of cannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), mitigates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by altering the gut microbiome

Currently, a combination of marijuana cannabinoids including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) is used as a drug to treat muscle spasticity in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Because these cannabinoids can also suppress inflammation, it is unclear whether such patients benefit from suppression of neuroinflammation and if so, what is the mechanism through which cannabinoids act. In the currently study, we used a murine model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), to study the role of gut microbiota in the attenuation of clinical signs of paralysis and inflammation caused by cannabinoids. THC + CBD treatment attenuated EAE and caused significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and IFN-γ while promoting the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β. Use of 16S rRNA sequencing on bacterial DNA extracted from the gut revealed that EAE mice showed high abundance of mucin degrading bacterial species, such as Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muc), which was significantly reduced after THC + CBD treatment. Fecal Material Transfer (FMT) experiments confirmed that THC + CBD-mediated changes in the microbiome play a critical role in attenuating EAE. In silico computational metabolomics revealed that LPS biosynthesis, a key component in gram-negative bacteria such as A. muc, was found to be elevated in EAE mice which was confirmed by demonstrating higher levels of LPS in the brain, while treatment with THC + CBD reversed this trend. EAE mice treated with THC + CBD also had significantly higher levels of short chain fatty acids such as butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids compared to naïve or disease controls. Collectively, our data suggest that cannabinoids may attenuate EAE and suppress neuroinflammation by preventing microbial dysbiosis seen during EAE and promoting healthy gut microbiota.

Cannabidiol Regulates Gene Expression in Encephalitogenic T cells Using Histone Methylation and noncoding RNA during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown by our laboratory to attenuate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we used microarray and next generation sequencing (NGS)-based approaches to determine whether CBD would alter genome-wide histone modification and gene expression in MOG sensitized lymphocytes. We compared H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks in CD4+ T cells from naïve, EAE and CBD treated EAE mice by ChIP-seq. Although the overall methylation level of these two histone marks did not change significantly, the signal intensity and coverage differed in individual genes, suggesting that CBD may modulate gene expression by altering histone methylation. Further analysis showed that these histone methylation signals were differentially enriched in the binding sites of certain transcription factors, such as ZNF143 and FoxA1, suggesting that these transcription factors may play important roles in CBD mediated immune modulation. Using microarray analysis, we found that the expression pattern of many EAE-induced genes was reversed by CBD treatment which was consistent with its effect on attenuating the clinical symptoms of EAE. A unique finding of this study was that the expression of many miRNAs and lncRNAs was dramatically affected by CBD. In summary, this study demonstrates that CBD suppresses inflammation through multiple mechanisms, from histone methylation to miRNA to lncRNA.

Combination of Cannabinoids, Δ9- Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, Ameliorates Experimental Multiple Sclerosis by Suppressing Neuroinflammation Through Regulation of miRNA-Mediated Signaling Pathways

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and disabling disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by neuroinflammation leading to demyelination. Recently a combination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from Cannabis has been approved in many parts of the world to treat MS-related spasticity. THC+CBD combination was also shown to suppresses neuroinflammation, although the mechanisms remain to be further elucidated. In the current study, we demonstrate that THC+CBD combination therapy (10 mg/kg each) but not THC or CBD alone, attenuates murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by reducing neuroinflammation and suppression of Th17 and Th1 cells. These effects were mediated through CB1 and CB2 receptors inasmuch as, THC+CBD failed to ameliorate EAE in mice deficient in CB1 and CB2. THC+CBD treatment also caused a decrease in the levels of brain infiltrating CD4+ T cells and pro-inflammatory molecules (IL-17, INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TBX21), while increasing anti-inflammatory phenotype such as FoxP3, STAT5b, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β. Also, the brain-derived cells showed increased apoptosis along with decreased percentage in G0/G1 phase with increased percentage in G2/M phase of cell cycle. miRNA microarray analysis of brain-derived CD4+ T cells revealed that THC+CBD treatment significantly down-regulated miR-21a-5p, miR-31-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-27b-5p while upregulating miR-706-5p and miR-7116. Pathway analysis showed that majority of the down-regulated miRs targeted molecules involved in cycle arrest and apoptosis such as CDKN2A, BCL2L11, and CCNG1, as well as anti-inflammatory molecules such as SOCS1 and FoxP3. Additionally, transfection studies involving miR-21 and use of Mir21-/- mice suggested that while this miR plays a critical role in EAE, additional miRs may also be involved in THC+CBD-mediated attenuation of EAE. Collectively, this study suggests that combination of THC+CBD suppresses neuroinflammation and attenuates clinical EAE development and that this effect is associated with changes in miRNA profile in brain-infiltrating cells.

Noncoding RNAs in development and teratology, with focus on effects of cannabis, cocaine, nicotine, and ethanol

Completion of the Human Genome Project has led to the identification of a large number of transcription start sites that are not paired with protein-coding genes, supporting the growing recognition of the abundance of encoded nonprotein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their importance for speciation and species-specific development. Present in both plants and animals, ncRNAs vary in size, function, primary sequence, and secondary structure. While microRNAs (miRNAs) are the best known, there are a number of other ncRNAs (long[er] nonprotein-coding RNA, pseudogenes, circular RNAs, and so on) that have been shown to play an important role in the development either directly or via networks of proteins and other ncRNAs, including modulating the impact of miRNAs. Furthermore, these ncRNAs and their developmental regulatory networks are sensitive to teratogens such as ethanol, cannabis, cocaine, and nicotine. A better understanding of the developmental role of ncRNAs and their capacity to mediate teratogenesis is a necessary step in efforts to minimize the long-term consequences of developmental exposures to drugs-of-abuse. Moreover, with increasing awareness of the prevalence of polydrug use, experimental models will need to incorporate more complex drug exposure paradigms into meaningful assessments of developmental ncRNA function.

Acute and short-term administrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol modulate major gut metabolomic regulatory pathways in C57BL/6 mice

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in Cannabis, which is studied extensively for its medicinal value. A central gap in the science is the underlying mechanisms surrounding THC's therapeutic effects and the role of gut metabolite profiles. Using a mass-spectrometry based metabolomics, we show here that intraperitoneal injection of THC in C57BL/6 mice modulates metabolic profiles that have previously been identified as integral to health. Specifically, we investigated the effects of acute (single THC injection denoted here as '1X') and short -term (five THC injections on alternate days denoted as '5X') THC administration on fecal and intestinal tissue metabolite profiles. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that THC administration alters host metabolism by targeting two prominent lipid metabolism pathways: glycerophospholipid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis.

miRNA expression profiles and molecular networks in resting and LPS-activated BV-2 microglia-Effect of cannabinoids

Mammalian microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in modulating the response of immune cells to stimuli. Cannabinoids are known to exert beneficial actions such as neuroprotection and immunosuppressive activities. However, the underlying mechanisms which contribute to these effects are not fully understood. We previously reported that the psychoactive cannabinoid Δ⁹–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) differ in their anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate BV-2 microglial cells, we examined the role of cannabinoids on the expression of miRNAs. Expression was analyzed by performing deep sequencing, followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to describe networks and intracellular pathways. miRNA sequencing analysis revealed that 31 miRNAs were differentially modulated by LPS and by cannabinoids treatments. In addition, we found that at the concentration tested, CBD has a greater effect than THC on the expression of most of the studied miRNAs. The results clearly link the effects of both LPS and cannabinoids to inflammatory signaling pathways. LPS upregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory miRNAs associated to Toll-like receptor (TLR) and NF-κB signaling, including miR-21, miR-146a and miR-155, whereas CBD inhibited LPS-stimulated expression of miR-146a and miR-155. In addition, CBD upregulated miR-34a, known to be involved in several pathways including Rb/E2f cell cycle and Notch-Dll1 signaling. Our results show that both CBD and THC reduced the LPS-upregulated Notch ligand Dll1 expression. MiR-155 and miR-34a are considered to be redox sensitive miRNAs, which regulate Nrf2-driven gene expression. Accordingly, we found that Nrf2-mediated expression of redox-dependent genes defines a Mox-like phenotype in CBD treated BV-2 cells. In summary, we have identified a specific repertoire of miRNAs that are regulated by cannabinoids, in resting (surveillant) and in LPS-activated microglia. The modulated miRNAs and their target genes are controlled by TLR, Nrf2 and Notch cross-talk signaling and are involved in immune response, cell cycle regulation as well as cellular stress and redox homeostasis.