Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses in vitro

BMC Medicine
Maria M MedveczkyPeter G Medveczky

Abstract

The major psychoactive cannabinoid compound of marijuana, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been shown to modulate immune responses and lymphocyte function. After primary infection the viral DNA genome of gamma herpesviruses persists in lymphoid cell nuclei in a latent episomal circular form. In response to extracellular signals, the latent virus can be activated, which leads to production of infectious virus progeny. Therefore, we evaluated the potential effects of THC on gamma herpesvirus replication. Tissue cultures infected with various gamma herpesviruses were cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of THC and the amount of viral DNA or infectious virus yield was compared to those of control cultures. The effect of THC on Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication was measured by the Gardella method and replication of herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) of monkeys, murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (MHV 68), and herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) was measured by yield reduction assays. Inhibition of the immediate early ORF 50 gene promoter activity was measured by the dual luciferase method. Micromolar concentrations of THC inhibit KSHV and EBV reactivation in virus infected/immo...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 28, 2007·Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology : the Official Journal of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology·Guy A Cabral
Dec 26, 2008·AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·Chun ChaoRoger Detels
Feb 25, 2014·Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology : the Official Journal of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology·Julie C WilliamsMaureen M Goodenow
Nov 26, 2014·Viruses·Natacha CoenGraciela Andrei
Jul 17, 2010·Pharmaceuticals·Carol Shoshkes Reiss
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Jun 27, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Osnat Almogi-Hazan, Reuven Or
Apr 25, 2021·Journal of Cannabis Research·Juan L RodriguezJ Jordan Steel

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
electrophoresis
transfection

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