Effect of polyethylene glycol grafted onto islet capsules on prevention of splenocyte and cytokine attacks

In the graft rejection of transplanted islets, the host's immune cells recognize the islets as antigens, which then stimulate the immune cells to begin the cytokine secretion and also the proliferation of immune cells. To prevent the recognition of islets by the immune cells, we grafted biocompatible polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the collagen capsule of islets without incurring any changes in the morphology and function of islets. To evaluate the efficiency of PEG grafting, PEGgrafted islets were cultured with splenocytes consisting mainly of lymphocytes and macrophages. A splenocyte proliferation assessment using a BrdU incorporation assay showed that the PEG-grafted islets did not stimulate the splenocytes. In addition, the viability and microorganisms in islet cells of co-cultured PEG-grafted islets were not altered. However, in the co-culture of free islets (control) splenocytes were stimulated; they mainly secreted TNF-α and strongly affected the viability and structure of free islets. Furthermore, when islets were treated with the rat recombinant TNF-α for 7 days, the viabilities of PEG-grafted and free islets were significantly damaged, although the viability of PEG-grafted islets was higher than that of free islets by nearly three times. These results demonstrate that PEG grafted on the surface of islets could prevent the recognition of islets by splenocytes, but could not completely protect islets from cytokines.     

Immune reactions of lymphocytes and macrophages against PEG-grafted pancreatic islets

Graft rejection is the major limiting factor in islet transplantation and is closely related with the recruitment and activation of T cells and macrophages against the graft. To reduce the immunogenicity of islets, we have grafted biocompatible polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the collagen capsule of islets without changing the morphology and function of islets. In this study, we evaluated whether the grafted PEG molecules on the collagen capsule of islet could prevent the activation of immune cells, and investigated factors that are mainly related to the immune reaction in vitro. During the co-culture with lymphocytes, the morphology and viability of PEG-grafted islets were not damaged, and the amounts of IL-2 and TNF-alpha secreted from lymphocytes co-cultured with PEG-grafted islets were significantly lower than that of free islets. However, when both kinds of islets were cultured with macrophages, there were no significant differences in morphology, viability and the secreted amounts of cytokines and nitric oxide. In conclusion, the grafted PEG could inhibit activation of lymphocytes, which are essential in initiating the graft rejection process. However, the grafted PEG molecules could not completely prevent the infiltration of cytotoxic molecules into the islets.     

Synthesis of photoreactive poly(ethylene glycol) and its application to the prevention of surface-induced platelet activation.

Photoreactive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was synthesized by reacting 4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide (FNPA) with sodium salt of PEG. The synthesized 4-azido-2-nitrophenyl PEG (ANP-PEG) was characterized by 1H-NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopy. ANP-PEG was grafted to dimethyldichlorosilane-coated glass (DDS-glass) by photolysis without any premodification of the surface. The effects of various grafting factors, such as the polymer adsorption time, concentration of ANP-PEG, and UV irradiation time, on the PEG grafting efficiency were examined. The PEG-grafted DDS-glass was characterized by measuring surface free energies, surface-induced platelet activation, and the relative amount of PEG grafted on the surface using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Platelet adhesion and activation was analyzed by measuring the number and spread area of adherent platelets. The results showed that ANP-PEG had to be adsorbed onto DDS-glass for at least 12 h before photolysis for the maximum grafting efficiency. No platelets could adhere to the PEG-grafted DDS-glass, if the bulk concentration of ANP-PEG in the adsorption solution was between 1 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL. Above 10 mg/mL, platelet activation gradually increased and reached the maximum at 30 mg/mL. Our data indicate that the grafting of ANP-PEG requires careful control of the grafting conditions and that the grafted PEG can prevent surface-induced platelet activation.     

The effect of two different polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives on the immunological response of PEG grafted pancreatic islets

Islet transplantation is one of the promising ways to treat diabetes. To reduce the immune system response, several methods have been developed, a novel one being the grafting of methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) derivatives onto collagen capsules of islets. In this study, the effects of the first and second generations of activated mPEG on the immunological response of polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted pancreatic islets were studied. mPEG-Succinimidyl carbonate (mPEG-SC) and mPEG-succinimidyl propionic acid (mPEG-SPA) (with nominal molecular weight 5 kDa), typical of the first and second generations of activated mPEG, were selected, respectively. Both activated mPEGs did not affect the morphology, viability, or functionality of PEGylated islets compared to free islets (naked islets). The amount of IL-2 secreted from lymphocytes co-cultured with mPEG-SPA grafted islets (131.83 ± 15.28 pg/ml) was not significantly different from that with mPEG-SC grafted islets (156.09 ± 27.94 pg/ml). These results indicated that both mPEG-SC and mPEG-SPA had the same effect for camouflaging Langerhans islets, but the former is more suitable due to its easier synthesis process.     

Treatment of rat pancreatic islets with reactive PEG

Covalent attachment of polymers to cells and tissues could be used to solve a variety of problems associated with cellular therapies. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a disease resulting from the autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Transplantation of islets into diabetic patients would be an attractive form of treatment, provided that the islets could be protected from the host's immune system in order to prevent graft rejection. If reaction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) segments with the islet surface did not damage function, the immunogenicity and cell binding characteristics of the islet could be altered. To determine if this process damages islets, rat islets have been isolated and treated with protein-reactive PEG-isocyanate (MW 5000) under mild reaction conditions. An assessment of cell viability using a colorimetric mitochondrial activity assay showed that treatment of the islets with PEG-isocyanate did not reduce cell viability. Insulin release in response to secretagogue challenge was used to evaluate islet function after treatment with the polymer. The insulin response of the PEG-treated islets was not significantly different than untreated islets in a static incubation secretagogue challenge. In addition, PEG-isocyanate-treated islets responded in the same manner as untreated islets in a glucose perifusion assay. Finally, the presence of PEG on the surface of the islets after treatment with the amine-reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide-PEG-biotin (not PEG-isocyanate) was confirmed by indirect fluorescence staining. These results demonstrate the feasibility of treating pancreatic islets with reactive polymeric segments and provide the foundation for further investigation of this novel means of potential immunoisolation.     

Surface modification using silanated poly(ethylene glycol)s

Surface-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules are known to prevent protein adsorption to the surface. The protein-repulsive property of PEG molecules are maximized by covalent grafting. We have synthesized silanated monomethoxy-PEG (m-PEG) for covalent grafting of PEG to surfaces with oxide layers. Two different trialkoxysilylated PEGs were synthesized and characterized. The first trialkoxysilylated PEG was prepared by direct coupling of m-PEG with 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane through a urethane bond (silanated PEG I). The other silanated PEG (silanated PEG II) containing a long hydrophobic domain between PEG and a silane domain was prepared by reacting m-PEG with 1,6-diisocyanatohexane and 10-undecen-1-ol in sequence before silylation with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane. Silanated PEGs I and II were grafted onto glass, a model surface used in our study. The PEG-grafted glass surfaces were characterized by contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Although contact angle did not change much as the bulk concentration of silanated PEG used for grafting increased from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml for both PEGs I and II, the surface atomic concentrations from XPS measurements showed successful PEG grafting. Surface PEG grafting increased concentration of surface carbon but decreased silicone concentration. The high resolution C1s spectra showed higher ether carbon with lower hydrocarbon compositions for the PEG-grafted surfaces compared to the control surface. AFM images showed that more PEG molecules were grafted onto the surface as the bulk concentration used for grafting was increased. AFM images of the dried surfaces showed that the surfaces were not completely covered by PEG molecules. After hydration, however, the surface appears to be covered completely probably due to the hydration of the grafted PEG chains. Glass surfaces modified with silanated PEGs reduced fibrinogen adsorption by more than 95% as compared with the control surface. Silanated PEGs provides a simple method for PEG grafting to the surface containing oxide layers.     

Highly poly(ethylene) glycolylated islets improve long-term islet allograft survival without immunosuppressive medication

The surface modification of islets using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is being studied as a means of preventing host immune responses against transplanted islets. In this study, to completely shield islets with PEG molecules, we increased the amount of PEG conjugated to islet surfaces, by multiple PEGylation or amplified PEGylation using poly-L-lysine, poly(allylamine), or poly(ethyleneimine), respectively. Amplified PEGylation was associated with islet cytotoxicity and functional impairment, but multiple PEGylation affected neither islet viability nor functionality. In addition, when triply PEGylated islets were allotransplanted into diabetic recipients, these islets survived in 3 of the 7 recipients for more than 100 days without any immunosuppressive treatment. Moreover, the blood glucose levels of these 3 recipients were stable and in the normal range. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 3 of 7 triply PEGylated islets transplants survived for 100 days and that 4 that were rejected before day 20 were all immunologically protected from immune cells. However, unmodified islets were completely destroyed within 1 week. Consequently, we suggest that multiple PEGylation offers an effective means of reducing the immunogenicity of transplanted islets by increasing the amount of surface-bound PEG.     

The influence of immune system stimulation on encapsulated islet graft survival

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the influence activating of the recipient immune system on the function of microencapsulated islet xenografts. MATERIAL/METHODS: The skin of WAG or Fisher rats and WAG free or encapsulated (APA) Langerhans islets were transplanted to healthy or to streptozotocin diabetic BALB/c mice. Skin grafts were performed following the method of Billingham and Medawar. Rat islets were isolated from pancreas by the Lacy and Kostianovsy method and encapsulated with calcium alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate according to the 3-step coating method of Sun. RESULTS: The transplantation of encapsulated WAG islets, despite activation of the host immune system, restored euglycemia for over 180 +/-100 days. A subsequent skin graft taken from the same donor was rejected in the second set mode, but euglycemia persisted. In diabetic recipients, impaired immune response was corrected by successful encapsulated islet transplantation. In diabetic mice, strong stimulation with 2-fold skin transplantation induced primary non-function of grafted islets despite their encapsulation. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of an islet xenograft depends on the level of activation of the recipient immune system. The immune response of diabetic mice was impaired, but increased after post-transplant restitution of euglycemia. Microencapsulation sufficiently protected grafted islets, and remission of diabetes was preserved. However, after strong specific or non-specific stimulation of the host immune system, non-function of xenografted islets developed despite their encapsulation. Therefore, islet graft recipients should avoid procedures which could stimulate their immune systems. If absolutely necessary, the graft should be protected by exogenous insulin therapy at that time.     

Nonspecific stimulation of host defense by Corynebacterium kutscheri. III. Enhanced cytokine induction by the active moiety of C. kutscheri.

The present study was carried out to ascertain whether the active component of Corynebacterium kutscheri (CK-M) could stimulate host cells of mice to produce several cytokines. CK-M stimulated thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) at concentrations of 1-100 ng/ml, and it also induced IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) as well as IL-6 production by splenocytes. Maximum production of each cytokine induced by CK-M was obtained at the following doses: IL-1 at 5 ng/ml, TNF-alpha at 50 ng/ml, IL-2 at 1 microgram/ml, IL-6 at 500 ng/ml and IFN-gamma at 750 ng/ml. In contrast, IL-4 was not produced to a significant extent by CK-M-stimulated splenocytes. Furthermore, when mice were intravenously injected with 20 micrograms of CK-M, IL-2 and IFN-gamma production by splenocytes, upon stimulation with either formalin-killed C. kutscheri or mitogens, was significantly higher on day 10 of treatment than on day 2. Additionally, the cytotoxicity to L929 cells of this serum from CK-M-treated mice increased with time, and the activity in the serum of day 10 was not abrogated by the antibody to TNF-alpha. Data obtained here indicate that CK-M may preferentially stimulate type-1 helper T cells to produce IL-2 and IFN-gamma, and that the enhanced cytokine production could contribute to the nonspecific resistance induced by C. kutscheri.     

Antitumor activity and immune enhancement of murine interleukin-23 expressed in murine colon carcinoma cells

Interleukin （IL）-23, a cytokine composed of p19 and the p40 subunit of IL-12, can enhance the proliferation of memory T cells and production of IFN-γ from activated T cells. It can also induce antitumor effects in murine model. To further evaluate the antitumor activity and immune enhancement of IL-23 in vivo, murine colon carcinoma cells retrovirally transduced with mIL-23 gene were injected subcutaneously （s.c.） into BALB/c mice. Survival time and tumor volume were observed. LDH release assay, [^3H]-TdR incorporation assay and ELISA were used to determine CTL activity, proliferation of splenocytes and level of cytokines, respectively. Number of dendritic cells （DCs） was analyzed by flow cytometry （FCM）. IL-23 secreted by Colon26/IL-23 cells suppressed the growth of tumor and prolonged the survival time of mice, enhanced proliferation of splenocytes, CTL activity, and number of DCs. IL-23 also promoted the production of Thl cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-12 and TNF-α. However, the level of IL-4 was not enhanced significantly. These data suggested that IL-23 secreted by tumor cells can induce antitumor activitv bv enhancing immune resnonse.     

Surface camouflage of pancreatic islets using 6-arm-PEG-catechol in combined therapy with tacrolimus and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody for xenotransplantation

This study proposes a new combination method of using 6-arm-PEG-catechol to enhance the PEG effect on one hand and another combination of using low doses of Tacrolimus (FK506) and anti-CD154 mAb (MR1) with PEGylation for effective immunoprotection on the other in a xenogenic islet transplantation model. The surface coverage of PEG, viability and functionality of islets were evaluated in?vitro, and the effect of surface camouflage on immunoprotection for transplanted islets was evaluated. In addition, the synergistic effects of surface camouflaged islets with low doses of immunosuppressant drugs, such as FK506 and MR1, were evaluated in the xenotransplantation model. The median survival time (MST) of 6-arm-PEG-catechol grafted islets (12.0?±?1.1 days) was not significantly increased, compared to that of unmodified islets (10.5?±?1.3 days). However, when 0.2?mg/kg of FK506 was daily administered, the MST of 6-arm-PEG-catechol grafted islet (21.0?±?1.9 days) was increased twice, compared to that of unmodified islets treated with 0.2?mg/kg of FK506 (10.0?±?0.9 days). Interestingly, when the recipients of 6-arm-PEG-catechol grafted islets were treated with 0.2?mg/kg of FK506 and 0.1?mg/mouse of MR1, normoglycemia was maintained up to 50 days of transplantation without any fluctuation of glucose level. Therefore, a newly developed protocol using 6-arm-PEG-catechol with FK506 and MR1 would certainly be an effective combination therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.     

A new strategy toward improving immunoprotection in cell therapy for diabetes mellitus: long-functioning PEGylated islets in vivo

Surface modification of islets using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been studied toward preventing immune responses of host for successful islet transplantation. In this study, we assessed the functionality of PEGylated islets and immune responses of host, as well as the synergistic effects of using PEGylation simultaneously with cyclosporine A (CsA) to prevent immune reactions. The average period of time for which PEGylated islets functioned normally following islets transplantation was 14 days, whereas it was only 5 days for unmodified islets. Host's immune cells did not eliminate the PEGylated islets but were observed to gather around the islets. On the other hand, unmodified islets were completely eliminated. When a low dose of CsA (3 mg/kg/day) was intravenously administered at the same time, the PEGylated islets showed stable activity and survived for 100 days before, that is, the PEGylated islets secreted insulin and were preserved from the immune cells. However, unmodified islets survived for 14 days on the average, even when CsA was administered. Consequently, it can be suggested that the PEGylation of islet surfaces can be an effective approach toward reducing the immunogenecity of islets, thus improving the functionality and survival time of transplanted islets, especially when CsA was simultaneously administered.     

Two different types of nonthrombogenic surfaces: PEG suppresses platelet adhesion ATP-independently but HEMA-St block copolymer requires ATP consumption of platelets to prevent adhesion

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a hydrophobic-hydrophilic microdomain structured block copolymer comprising poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polystyrene (HEMA-St) have been reported to show good blood compatibility owing to inhibition of platelet activation. By using a computer-assisted novel technique to analyze platelet behavior on the surfaces, we found two different mechanisms to prevent platelet adhesion. Platelets were prevented from adhesion and spreading on the microdomain surface and retained cell movement for a long time. The platelet movement velocity was not significantly different between PEG-grafted surfaces and HEMA-St block copolymer-cast surfaces. However, platelet motion was qualitatively different. Platelets on HEMA-St block copolymer-cast surfaces moved with rolling, spinning, and vibrating, whereas platelet movement was limited to oscillatory vibration on PEG-grafted surfaces. When platelets were treated with NaN(3), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis inhibitor, before contacting the surfaces, platelets movement velocity was decreased only on HEMA-St block copolymer-cast surfaces. Such an inhibitory effect was hardly observed with platelets on PEG-grafted surfaces. We propose two different mechanisms to prevent platelet adhesion onto surfaces. One is ATP-independent as observed with PEG, and the other is ATP-dependent for HEMA-St block copolymer, where platelets consume ATP to prevent adhesion.     

Optimization of monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol grafting on the pancreatic islet capsules

As a new approach to islet transplantation, biocompatible monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) was chemically grafted onto the pancreatic islet capsule. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for completely covering the islet by the mPEG while maintaining a high viability of islets according to the reaction time and the repeating number of the reaction. By grafting the fluorescein-PEG instead of mPEG, we determined the optimal mPEG grafting time as 1 h, during which time the procedure did not reduce islet viability. Insulin secretion from islets where the mPEG was grafted on for 3 times was similar to that of control islets. Moreover, the mPEG-grafted islets rapidly responded to the changes in the glucose concentration in the same pattern as did control islets. These results showed that mPEG grafting did not damage the function of islets. In conclusion, when the mPEG grafting was performed for 1 h and repeated twice with 1-day culture between each mPEG-grafting step, the mPEG completely covered the islet capsules without any damage to the viability and function of the islets. The main advantage of mPEG grafting on the islet capsule is that it can protect the islet against the host's immune system without increasing the islet size so that it can be administered into the portal vein by the catheter.     

瘦素(Leptin)与免疫系统的关系研究

为弄清高Leptin水平在不同免疫状态下对免疫系统的影响 ,选用 8周龄的清洁级BALB/c雄性小鼠共 4 0只 ,分成五组 ,分别用外源性鼠Leptin和Leptin抗体人为形成小鼠的不同Leptin水平状态 ,并利用CsA将小鼠分为正常免疫和免疫抑制状态两类 ,两种状态各设对照组 ,测定细胞增殖情况 ;用ELISA方法检测外周血和细胞培养液中IL 2、IL 4、IFN γ和Leptin的浓度。正常免疫状态下 ,Leptin组的脾细胞增殖与对照组无差异 ,细胞因子除IFN γ升高外 ,IL 2、IL 4均无差异 ;Leptin抗体组显示脾细胞增殖能力下降 ,各细胞因子测定示显示差异 ;免疫抑制状态下 ,Leptin组的细胞增殖活力较强 ,IL 2、IFN γ水平上升 ,IL 4分泌降低 ,这种结果也在几乎所有体外加入Leptin的各组中出现。表明Leptin可以起免疫调节作用 ,增加IFN γ、IL 2的合成 ,降低IL 4的产生 ,使免疫应答向Th1细胞方向偏离。在正常免疫状态下Leptin的调节作用不明显 ,而在免疫抑制情况下 ,这种调节作用可以得到体现。     

Differential impact of nicotine on cellular proliferation and cytokine production by LPS-stimulated murine splenocytes

The immunoregulatory effects of nicotine have not been fully clarified and the reported data are often conflicting. The present study investigated the role of nicotine as an immunomodulator of murine splenocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the endotoxin component of gram-negative bacteria. BALB/c female mice of two different ages, young (2-3 months) and old (18-22 months), were used. The cells were incubated with nicotine at two different time points, 3 h pre-incubation and concurrent incubation relevant to LPS stimulation, before further incubation for 48 or 72 h. Treatment of murine splenocytes with nicotine showed an impact on cellular proliferation as well as on the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The results indicated that nicotine significantly inhibited cellular proliferation of murine splenocytes in a concentration-related manner (32, 64 and 128 microg/ml). Timing of nicotine exposure prior to LPS stimulation was critical in terms of immunological impact on cytokine production. TNF-alpha and IL-6 production were significantly enhanced by 1 microg/ml of nicotine when cells were pre-incubated with nicotine for 3 h compared to concurrent incubation relative to LPS stimulation. The alteration in cytokine production varied with the age of the mouse. TNF-alpha production was significantly inhibited by nicotine in young mice, while IL-6 production was significantly inhibited by nicotine in old mice. Since any immunomodulation that alters the profile of these cytokines may cause an imbalance in the immune system impinging on health status, these findings may be important when dealing with the concept of nicotine as a therapeutic agent.     

成人睾丸支持细胞的分离培养及其免疫豁免机制

目的：建立成人睾丸支持细胞的体外培养方法并探讨其免疫豁免机制。方法：依次用胰蛋白酶、胶原酶、透明质酸酶及脱氧核糖核酸酶消化制备成人睾丸支持细胞，以SABC染色法检测支持细胞上Fas-L和TGF-β1的表达。将其与成人脾细胞共同培养，用MTT比色法检测其对脾细胞增殖的抑制作用。结果：成人睾丸支持细胞占培养细胞总数的80％以上，活性可达90％。睾丸支持细胞上可表达Fas-L和TGF-β1，体外可抑制共培养的脾细胞增殖。结论：建立了培养成人睾丸支持细胞的方法，其免疫豁免机制可能与Fas-L和TGF-β1的表达有关。     

Maternal influence on the immune response: SMLC reactions between identical and reciprocal F1 hybrids and the role of lactation

Identical and reciprocal adult F1 mice from different strain combinations, either nursed on their own mothers or foster-nursed on mothers from the paternal strain, were used to carry out SMLC assays. The results obtained showed that: (1) in vitro proliferation of F1 T cells was significantly different when splenocytes from identical versus reciprocal hybrids were used as the stimulatory population, splenocytes from one of the members of the reciprocal pair being able to induce higher proliferative responses of T cells from both identical and reciprocal F1 hybrids; (2) foster-nursing of F1 hybrids on mothers from the paternal strain was able to induce permanent alterations in the ability of their splenocytes to stimulate the proliferation of responder F1 T cells. The stimulatory ability of splenocytes from foster-nursed hybrids was indistinguishable from that observed in the reciprocal F1 combination nursed by its own mother. The existence of a maternal effect acting through milk on the outcome of self recognition in the litter is discussed.     

Stimulation of Peripheral Blood T Cells by an Activated T-Cell Line: a Novel Human Autologous T-T Lymphocyte Reaction

T lymphocyte interactions have generally been described between discrete functional subsets. In our investigation of murine T-cell interactions we described a type of T-T interaction termed the 'Syngeneic T-T Lymphocyte Reaction' in which activated T-cell clones stimulated the proliferation of resting T cells mainly through a mechanism involving cell to cell contact. To investigate whether similar reactions occur in the human immune system we used the human autoreactive T-cell line C.1 to stimulate peripheral T cells. Line C.1 cells, which are not transformed and do not secrete IL2, consistently caused proliferation of purified freshly isolated autologous peripheral human T cells as measured by a [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay. The proliferation was seen in both the CD4 and CD8 subsets and could be inhibited with anti-DR and anti-CD2 antibodies. The stimulation is not due to carryover of classical antigen-presenting cells or to the C.1 line cells acting as antigen-presenting cells. We propose that some activated T cells, probably by expression of a surface molecule, can stimulate resting T cells thereby allowing for antigen-non-specific augmentation of the immune response.     

Differing effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on murine spleen cell populations dependent upon stimulators.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of marijuana, can suppress the immune response, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, THC was found to either up-regulate or down-regulate lymphocytes depending on the method of stimulation. When the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were used to stimulate THC-treated splenocytes, a down-regulation of lymphocyte proliferation occurred, which reflected lower T-cell numbers in general and Ly2 positive cells specifically. When splenocytes were stimulated directly by using anti-CD3 antibody it was found that low concentrations of THC enhanced lymphocyte proliferation, T-cell numbers in general, and Ly2 cells specifically. These results emphasize that THC can either enhance or suppress aspects of the immune response, depending on the specific immune stimulants used and the specific parameter of immunity measured.