Table 1.
Effects of cannabinoids on viral infections. 2-AG: 2-Arachidonoylglycerol; AEA: N-arachidonoylethanolamine; CB1: Cannabinoid receptor type 1; CB2: Cannabinoid receptor type 2; CBD: Cannabidiol; HBV: hepatitis B virus; MAIDS: murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; THC: Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol.
| Virus | Treatment/Context | Model | Observations | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIV-1 | ||||
| THC | Human | Suppression of IFN-α-mediated activation of T-cells | Henriquez et al., 2018 [48] | |
| Inhibition of AEA hydrolysis | Murine | Reduction in HIV-Tat-mediated neuronal death and dendritic degeneration | Hermes et al., 2018 [41] | |
| Cannabis use in HAART treated patients | Human | Reduction in systemic inflammation and immune activation | Manuzak et al., 2018 [63] | |
| AEA, 2-AG | Murine | Protection of neurons from HIV-Tat excitotoxicity | Xu et al., 2017 [42] | |
| THC | Human | Suppression of IFN-α secretion by pDC | Henriquez et al., 2017 [49] | |
| THC | Murine | Enhancement of pVRCgp120-induced IFN-γ production | Chen et al., 2015 | |
| by splenic lymphocyte populations and activation of T/B cells | [39] | |||
| AEA, 2-AG | Human | Suppression of pro-inflammatory and increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines, through the MAPK pathway | Krishnan and Chaterjee, 2014 [64] | |
| THC | Human | Reduction of cell surface HIV receptor (CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4) expression on macrophages | Williams et al., 2014 [65] | |
| THC, CP55940 (CB1/2 agonist) | Human | Inhibition of HIV-Tat-mediated adhesion of monocyte to extracellular matrix | Raborn et al., 2014 [66] | |
| JWH133, Gp1a, O-1966 (CB2 agonist) | Human | Inhibition of RT and LTR activity | Ramirez et al., 2013 [67] | |
| WIN55,212-2 (CB1/2 agonist) | Human | Protection of human dopaminergic neurons from gp120 | Hu et al., 2013 [43] | |
| THC, CBD | Murine | Enhancement of T-cell response after suboptimal stimulation | Chen et al., 2012 [68] | |
| Suppression of T-cell response after optimal stimulation | ||||
| JWH133, JWH150, 2-AG, AEA (CB2 agonists) | Human | Reduces cell-free and cell-to-cell transmission of CXCR4-tropic HIV | Constantino et al., 2012 [40] | |
| HIV-1 | THC, 2-AG | Murine | Reduction CCR3 expression resulting in less migration of BV-2 cells towards HIV-Tat | Fraga et al., 2011 [69] |
| WIN55,212-2 (CB1/2 agonist) | Murine | Inhibited gp120-induced IL-1β production and impairment of network functions | Kim et al., 2011 [70] | |
| THC, CP55940 (CB1/2 agonist) | Human | Inhibition of macrophage migration to HIV-Tat protein | Raborn and Cabral, 2010 [71] | |
| SIV | ||||
| THC | Rhesus | No upregulation of pro-inflammatory miR-21, miR-141 and miR-222 and alpha/beta defensins | Kumar et al., 2019 [50] | |
| Higher expression of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-3), anti-inflammatory MUC13, keratin-8 (stress protection), PROM1 (epithelial proliferation) | ||||
| THC | Rhesus | Upregulation of microRNA which targets proinflammatory molecules | Chandra et al., 2015 [72] | |
| THC | Rhesus | Chronic administration increased CXCR4 expression on T-cells | LeCapitaine et al., 2011 [73] | |
| THC | Rhesus | Chronic administration reduced early mortality, associated with attenuation of plasma viral load and body mass retention | Molina et al., 2011 [74] | |
| MAIDS | ||||
| JWH015, JWH133, Gp1a (CB2 agonists) | Murine | Acute antiallodynic effects on infection-induced neuropathic pain | Sheng et al., 2019 [75] | |
| HBV | ||||
| Rimonabant (CB1 inhibitor) | Human | Suppressed HBV propagation through the inhibition of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α | Sato et al., 2020 [76] | |
| HCV | ||||
| AEA | Human | Decrease of AMPK phosphorylation, inhibition of cell surface expression of GLUT2, and suppression of cellular glucose uptake. Promotion of viral replication | Sun et al., 2014 [37] | |
| RSV | ||||
| JZL184 (CB1 agonist) | Murine | Decreased immune cell influx and cytokine/chemokine production, and alleviated lung pathology | Tahamtan et al., 2018 (a) [51] | |
| JWH133 (CB2 agonist) | Murine | Decreased immune cell influx and cytokine/chemokine production, and alleviated lung pathology | Tahamtan et al., 2018 (b) [52] | |
| Theiler’s | ||||
| CBD | Murine | Decreased frequency and severity of acute behavioral seizures | Patel et al., 2019 [45] | |
| Inhibition of 2-AG hydrolysis | Murine | Enhances remyelination | Feliu et al., 2017 [44] | |
| WIN55,212-2 (CB1/2 agonist) | Murine | Reduced CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3– T-cells activation in the CNS and increased regulatory CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + T-cell activation | Arevalo-Martin et al., 2012 [77] | |
| AEA | Murine | Inhibition of VCAM-1 potentially reducing neuroinflammation | Mestre et al., 2011 [78] | |
| Influenza | ||||
| THC | Murine | Suppressed DC, macrophages, monocytes, and inflammatory myeloid cell responses | Karmaus et al., 2013 [36] | |
| Vaccinia | ||||
| THC | Murine | Increased severity and duration of symptoms | Huemer et al., 2011 [38] | |