Cannabis use by individuals with multiple sclerosis: effects on specific immune parameters

Abstract

Cannabinoids affect immune responses in ways that may be beneficial for autoimmune diseases. We sought to determine whether chronic Cannabis use differentially modulates a select number of immune parameters in healthy controls and individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS cases). Subjects were enrolled and consented to a single blood draw, matched for age and BMI. We measured monocyte migration isolated from each subject, as well as plasma levels of endocannabinoids and cytokines. Cases met definition of MS by international diagnostic criteria. Monocyte cell migration measured in control subjects and individuals with MS were similarly inhibited by a set ratio of phytocannabinoids. The plasma levels of CCL2 and IL17 were reduced in non-naïve cannabis users irrespective of the cohorts. We detected a significant increase in the endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) in serum from individuals with MS compared to control subjects, and no significant difference in levels of other endocannabinoids and signaling lipids irrespective of Cannabis use. Chronic Cannabis use may affect the immune response to similar extent in individuals with MS and control subjects through the ability of phytocannabinoids to reduce both monocyte migration and cytokine levels in serum. From a panel of signaling lipids, only the levels of AEA are increased in individuals with MS, irrespective from Cannabis use or not. Our results suggest that both MS cases and controls respond similarly to chronic Cannabis use with respect to the immune parameters measured in this study.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis: The Role of Cytokine Levels in Serum and Synovial Fluid

“…Biological aspects affecting cytokines in the synovial fluid and the articular cartilage have recently been studied due to the fact that Cytokines are important factors for treating and preventing osteoarthritis (Kapoor et al, 2011). IL-17has also been widely researched on pathogens and the treatment of multiple sclerosis (Kallaur et al, 2013;Elain et al, 2014;Sexton et al, 2014), systemic lupus erythematosus (Onishi & Gaffen, 2010;Tanasescu et al, 2010), inflammatory bowel disease (Yu et al, 2012;Katz et al, 2014), and psoriasis (Raychaudhuri, 2013;Chiricozzi, 2014). Nevertheless, its relationship with osteoarthritis needs to be studied further.…”

Neuroprotection in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and Progressive Multiple Sclerosis by Cannabis-Based Cannabinoids

“…These probably cause significant stress-responses that are known to be immunosuppressive in EAE (Bolton et al 1997). Importantly, there is no solid data to suggest that doses of medical cannabis cause significant immunosuppressive effects in MS, following analysis of peripheral immune responses (Killestein et al 2003;Katona et al 2005;Sexton et al 2014 (Pryce et al2003;Croxford et al 2008;Webb et al 2008;Hasseldam and Johansen 2010;Hernández-Torres et al 2014;BernalChico et al 2015). In EAE, this is seen by a better functional recovery and a reduced accumulation of disability following paralytic attack Baker et al 2011;Al-Izki et al 2014).…”

Cannabis in the Time of Coronavirus Disease 2019: The Yin and Yang of the Endocannabinoid System in Immunocompetence

“…This has also been demonstrated in human subjects who smoke cannabis, indicating that cannabinoids may impair TLR-induced immune activation. [8][9][10] Further, THC has been shown via CB 2 to inhibit the macrophage co-stimulatory signaling required for T-cell activation, thus impairing the adaptive immune response (antibody production and immune memory). 6 Early investigations suggested a TH1 to TH2 shift by cannabinoids, but this has not been replicated in humans with multiple sclerosis-a condition that would benefit from this shift.…”

“…6 Early investigations suggested a TH1 to TH2 shift by cannabinoids, but this has not been replicated in humans with multiple sclerosis-a condition that would benefit from this shift. 10 Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. A systems-based analysis of the ECS biologic network revealed that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is one of the major nodes, or units connecting to other signaling units, in the network.…”

“…Additionally, data from healthy, adult-use cannabis smokers demonstrated a global reduction in cytokine production. [8][9][10] Further, the use of vape pens (vaporization devices with concentrated cannabis) may pose an even greater risk through concentration, adulteration, or contamination of the extracts. The concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes can be increased by 3.2-to 4-fold and 2.7-to 8.9-fold, respectively (depending on extraction process and terpene structure), and this concentrated form may also contribute to respiratory symptoms and dysfunction.…”