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?9-tetrahydrocannabinol reverses TNF?-induced increase in airway epithelial cell permeability through CB2 receptors

Shang, Valerie C.M.; Kendall, David A.; Roberts, Richard E.

Authors

Valerie C.M. Shang

David A. Kendall

Richard E. Roberts



Abstract

Despite pharmacological treatment, bronchial hyperresponsiveness continues to deteriorate as airway remodelling persists in airway inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that the phytocannabinoid ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)reverses bronchoconstriction with an anti-inflammatory action. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of THC on bronchial epithelial cell permeability after exposure to the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF?. Calu-3 bronchial epithelial cells were cultured at air-liquid interface. Changes in epithelial permeability were measured using transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER), then confirmed with a paracellular permeability assay and expression of tight junction proteins by Western blotting.Treatment with THC prevented the TNF?-induced decrease in TEER and increase in paracellular permeability. Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor-like immunoreactivity was found in Calu-3 cells. Subsequent experiments revealed that pharmacological blockade of CB2, but not CB1 receptor inhibited the THC effect. Selective stimulation of CB2 receptors displayed a similar effect to that of THC. TNF? decreased expression of the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1, which was prevented by pre-incubation with THC.These data indicate that THC prevents cytokine-induced increase in airway epithelial permeability through CB2 receptor activation. This highlights that THC, or other cannabinoid receptor ligands, could be beneficial in the prevention of inflammation induced changes in airway epithelial cell permeability, an important feature of airways diseases.

Citation

Shang, V. C., Kendall, D. A., & Roberts, R. E. (in press). ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol reverses TNF?-induced increase in airway epithelial cell permeability through CB2 receptors. Biochemical Pharmacology, 120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2016.09.008

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 13, 2016
Online Publication Date Sep 15, 2016
Deposit Date Feb 15, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Biochemical Pharmacology
Print ISSN 0006-2952
Electronic ISSN 1873-2968
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 120
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2016.09.008
Keywords Airway; Epithelium; Cannabinoid receptors; THC; Tight junctions
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/817695
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006295216302878

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