Frequent low-dose THC in adolescence disrupts microglia homeostasis and disables response to microbial infection
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE213734 | GEO | 2022/09/22
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Adolescent cannabis use has been associated with long-term cognitive dysfunction attributed to action of the main cannabis ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), on the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1). However, not all marijuana users develop cognitive impairment, suggesting a genetic vulnerability to adverse effects of cannabis. As both neurons and glial cells express CNR1, genetic vulnerability could influence Δ9-THC-induced signaling in a cell type-specific manner. Here we use an animal model of inducible expression of dominant-negative Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia-1 (DN-DISC1) selectively in astrocytes to evaluate the molecular mechanisms whereby an astrocyte genetic vulnerability could synergistically interact with adolescent Δ9-THC exposure to impair recognition memory in adulthood. We report that selective expression of DN-DISC1 in astrocytes and adolescent treatment with Δ9-THC synergistically affected recognition memory in adult mice. Similar deficits in recognition memory were observed following knockdown of endogenous Disc1 in hippocampal astrocytes in mice treated with Δ9-THC during adolescence. At the molecular level, DN-DISC1 and Δ9-THC synergistically activated the NF-kB-COX-2 (encoded by Ptgs2 gene) pathway in astrocytes and decreased immunoreactivity of parvalbumin-positive pre-synaptic inhibitory boutons around pyramidal neurons of the CA3 area of the hippocampus. The cognitive abnormalities were prevented in DN-DISC1 mice exposed to Δ9-THC by simultaneous adolescent treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor, NS389. Our data demonstrate that individual vulnerability to cannabis can be exclusively mediated by astrocytes. Results of this work suggest that genetic predisposition within astrocytes can exaggerate Δ9-THC-produced cognitive impairments via convergent inflammatory signaling, suggesting possible targets for preventing adverse effects of cannabis within susceptible individuals.
2018-12-31 | GSE116813 | GEO
Project description:Adolescent cannabis use increases the risk for cognitive impairments and psychiatric disorders. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) is expressed not only in neurons and astrocytes, but also in microglia, which shape synaptic connections during adolescence. Nonetheless, until now, the role of microglia in mediating the adverse cognitive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, has been unexplored. Here, we report that adolescent THC exposure produces microglial apoptosis in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which was exacerbated in the mouse model of 16p11.2 duplication, a representative copy number variation (CNV) risk factor for psychiatric disorders. These effects are mediated by microglial Cnr1, leading to reduction in the excitability of mPFC pyramidal-tract neurons and deficits in social memory in adulthood. Our findings highlight the importance of microglial Cnr1 to produce the adverse effect of cannabis exposure in genetically vulnerable individuals.
2023-10-03 | GSE242892 | GEO
Project description:Background: Adolescent cannabis use leads to long-lasting behavioral changes involving cognitive and reward processes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. To address this limitation, we performed gene network analyses using transcriptomic data from mice exposed during adolescence to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis. Methods: We injected vehicle or THC in female and male mice during the entire adolescence period. Two weeks following the last exposure, we measured recognition memory, social interaction and anxiety-related behaviors. We generated 120 RNA-seq datasets from 5 brain regions for each mouse. We performed differential gene expression analysis and constructed co-expression networks to identify THC-induced transcriptional alterations at the level of individual genes, gene networks, biological pathways, and cellular specificity. Further, we integrated THC-correlated gene networks with human traits from genome-wide association studies and performed key driver analysis to identify potential regulators of disorder-associated networks. Results: THC impaired cognitive behaviors of mice, with memory being more impacted in females, which coincided with larger transcriptional alterations in the female brain. Gene network analyses identified brain region-, cell type- and sex- specific co-expressed genes (“modules”) dysregulated by THC. THC-induced memory deficits in females were correlated with disruption of gene networks involved in endocannabinoid signaling and inflammation. Additional THC-correlated modules in both sexes involved converging pathways related to dopamine signaling and addiction processes. Moreover, the connectivity map of THC-correlated modules uncovered intra- and inter-region molecular circuitries influenced by THC. Further, modules altered by THC treatment were enriched in genes relevant for human cognition and schizophrenia. Conclusions: These findings provide novel insights concerning the genes, cell types, and pathways underlying persistent behavioral deficits induced by adolescent exposure to THC in a sex-specific manner, and highlight the connection between adolescent cannabis use and neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.
2021-12-06 | GSE189821 | GEO
Project description:Drug exposure during critical periods of development is known to have lasting effects, increasing one’s risk for developing mental health disorders. Emerging evidence has also indicated the possibility for drug exposure to even impact subsequent generations. Our previous work demonstrated that adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana (Cannabis sativa), in a Long-Evans rat model affects reward-related behavior and gene regulation in the subsequent (F1) generation unexposed to the drug. Questions, however, remained regarding potential epigenetic consequences. In the current study, using the same rat model, we employed Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing to interrogate the epigenome of the nucleus accumbens, a key brain area involved in reward processing. This analysis compared 16 animals with parental-THC exposure and 16 without to characterize relevant systems-level changes in DNA methylation. We identified 1,027 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with parental THC exposure in F1 adults, each represented by multiple CpGs. These DMRs fell predominantly within introns, exons, and intergenic intervals, while showing a significant depletion in gene promoters. From these, we identified a network of DMR-associated genes involved in glutamatergic synaptic regulation, which also exhibited altered mRNA expression in the nucleus accumbens. These data provide novel insight into drug-related cross-generational epigenetic effects, and serve as a useful resource for investigators to explore novel neurobiological systems underlying drug abuse vulnerability. Study consisted of a total of 32 F1 individuals (Long-Evan rats); 16 animals (8 female, 8 male) were offspring from THC-exposed parents, and the remaining 16 animals (8 female, 8 male) were offspring from saline-exposed parents ("controls"; "VEH-exposed").
2015-06-19 | E-GEOD-69984 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Cannabis is commonly used in pregnancy for symptoms of nausea and pain, especially in the first trimester. Cannabis remains a federally illicit drug in the United States, but local legalization trends have resulted in increased availability and a decreased perception of harm. Unfortunately, limited scientifically rigorous information exists to inform decisions on use. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis) can cross the placenta and bind to cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) on the fetus. Because CB1 receptors are expressed in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, this suggests that THC exposure may impact fetal cardiovascular development. To understand this impact, our group used an established rhesus macaque model of chronic edible THC use during pregnancy. Animals were slowly titrated to a heavy THC dose (2.5mg/7kg/day) for 4 months preconception. Dams continued this daily THC dose throughout pregnancy with c-section delivery near term. Our model showed a decreased heart-to-body weight ratio from THC exposure. We examined the underlying changes in this selective fetal growth restriction of the cardiovascular system through tissue, protein, and gene expression analyses. H istological analysis of coronal sections of the heart and cross sections of the aorta showed no changes in collagen expression or maturity. Western blot analysis of collagen III expression showed no changes in left or right ventricle. Elastin expression was also unchanged in the aorta. To assess transcriptional changes, we performed bulk RNA-sequencing of vascular cells in the fetal aorta, umbilical vein, and umbilical artery, which revealed differentially expressed genes involved in metabolism and inflammation. These results suggest potential cardiovascular harm from in utero THC exposure by altering endothelial metabolism and inflammation.
2024-07-07 | GSE244644 | GEO
Project description:Canabinoid exposure during adolescence alters the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse by mechanisms that are not fully understood. The nucleus accumbens is a key node of the circuit mediating the rewarding effects of most drugs. Here, we present data on the differential gene expression in the nucleus accumbens shell in male and female Wistar rats (postnatal day 90) after exposure to THC (3 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle (ethanol:cremophor:saline; 1:1:18; 2 mL/kg i.p.) during adolescence (postnatal day 28 to postnatal day 44; injections on alternate days). There were 96 DEGs in THC-males compared to VEH-males and 87 DEGs in the females’ comparison. Only nine of these DEGs were present in both the THC vs. VEH comparison in both sexes. Our results suggest that THC exposure during adolescence affects several families of genes that have important functions for brain development, behavior and synaptic plasticity and could explain, at least in part, the complex behavioral phenotype observed in adult individuals with exposure to cannabinoids during adolescence.
2020-09-19 | GSE158188 | GEO
Project description:Background: The regular use of cannabis by young men has been associated with an increased incidence of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). TGCT, the most common cancer in young adults, is believed to arise from an alteration of testicular fetal germ cells differentiation during development, with a possible subsequent environmental trigger (eg drugs or other chemicals) during puberty or adulthood leading to cancer. Cannabis consumption by pregnant women is currently increasing worldwide, and legalization for its recreational and therapeutic purposes is debated in numerous countries. In this context, we aimed to determine whether cannabis exposure can affect development of the fetal testis. Methods: Since phytocannabinoids act on an endogenous system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), we first investigated these signaling pathways in the human fetal testis, from 6 to 17 developmental weeks. We next investigated the effects of the two main components of cannabis, (−)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), on the human fetal testis ex vivo. Results: We show the presence of two key endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), albeit with lower levels. The human fetal testis also expressed several enzymes and receptors of this signaling pathway. Human fetal testicular explants collected from first trimester were exposed to CBD, THC or CBD/THC [ratio 1:1] at concentrations ranging from 10-7 to 10-5M during 72h to 14 days. Phytocannabinoids treatments affected fetal testicular cell proliferation and viability, as well as testosterone secretion by Leydig cells and AMH secretion by Sertoli cells. Transcriptomic analysis performed by BRB-seq on exposed versus unexposed fetal testis explants showed 187 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), some of which involved in toxic substances response and steroid synthesis. Conclusions: Our study provides the first evidence of the presence of ECS in human fetal testis and support a potential adverse effect of cannabis consumption in pregnant women on the male reproductive function development.
2023-06-15 | GSE223827 | GEO
Project description:Medicinal cannabis has garnered worldwide attention in recent years but has been hampered by the psychotropic activity of Δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (Δ9-THC). However, the biological activity of its precursor Δ9-THC acid (Δ9-THCA) remain largely unexplored; yet, it is known that Δ9-THCA is not psychotropic and displays PPARg agonistic activity. We report here that Δ9-THCA is a partial and selective PPARg, albeit with lower adipogenic activity than the full PPARg agonist, rosiglitazone (RGZ). In addition, Δ9-THCA enhanced osteoblastogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells. Docking and in vitro functional assays indicated that Δ9-THCA binds and activated PPARg by acting at both the canonical and the alternative binding sites in the PPARg ligand-binding pocket. Indeed, transcriptomic signature at inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) from mice treated with Δ9-THCA confirmed its mode of action at PPARg. Administration of Δ9-THCA for 3-weeks in a mouse model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity significantly reduced fat mass and body weight gain, and markedly ameliorated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, while largely preventing liver steatosis, adipogenesis and macrophage infiltration in fat tissues. In addition, immunohistochemistry, transcriptomic and plasmatic biomarkers analyses showed that treatment with Δ9-THCA caused browning of iWAT and displayed potent anti-inflammatory actions in HFD mice. Altogether, our studies collectively document the potent biological activity of Δ9-THCA as a PPARggonist with capacity to substantially improve metabolic syndrome and inflammation associated to obesity. Our findings also imply that non-decarboxylated, Cannabis sativa extracts could be added to the arsenal of cannabis preparations already available in countries where medicinal cannabis is authorized.
2019-12-20 | GSE129573 | GEO
Project description:Drug exposure during critical periods of development is known to have lasting effects, increasing one’s risk for developing mental health disorders. Emerging evidence has also indicated the possibility for drug exposure to even impact subsequent generations. Our previous work demonstrated that adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana (Cannabis sativa), in a Long-Evans rat model affects reward-related behavior and gene regulation in the subsequent (F1) generation unexposed to the drug. Questions, however, remained regarding potential epigenetic consequences. In the current study, using the same rat model, we employed Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing to interrogate the epigenome of the nucleus accumbens, a key brain area involved in reward processing. This analysis compared 16 animals with parental-THC exposure and 16 without to characterize relevant systems-level changes in DNA methylation. We identified 1,027 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with parental THC exposure in F1 adults, each represented by multiple CpGs. These DMRs fell predominantly within introns, exons, and intergenic intervals, while showing a significant depletion in gene promoters. From these, we identified a network of DMR-associated genes involved in glutamatergic synaptic regulation, which also exhibited altered mRNA expression in the nucleus accumbens. These data provide novel insight into drug-related cross-generational epigenetic effects, and serve as a useful resource for investigators to explore novel neurobiological systems underlying drug abuse vulnerability.
2015-06-19 | GSE69984 | GEO
Project description:Increased availability of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products necessitates the need for understanding how exposure to these compounds can affect development. Using cannabinoid receptor-null zebrafish (cnr1-/- and cnr2-/-), we conducted experiments to assess the roles of these receptors in ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) developmental and behavioral toxicity. THC increased mortality and deformities (pericardial and yolk sac edemas, a reduction in size) in cnr1-/- and cnr2-/- fish. Conversely, CBD-induced malformations and mortality were significantly reduced in the cnr1-/- and cnr2-/- larvae. THC and CBD exposure caused significantly decreased larval behavior (96 hpf), however, decreased distance travelled was protected in the cnr1-/- and cnr2-/- fish, suggesting these receptors are responsible for mediating behavioral toxicity. Transcriptomic profiling in cnr+/+ embryos developmentally exposed to 4 μM THC or 0.5 μM CBD revealed that a significant portion of differentially expressed genes were targets of PPARγ, a predicted upstream regulator. In Cnr-positive embryos, co-exposure to the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 and THC or CBD, there was increased toxicity compared to exposure with THC or CBD alone. Co-treatment in the cnr2-/- fish with GW9662 did not alter the CBD-induced decrease in activity. However, co-treatment with GW9662 did remove the protective effect observed in cnr1-/- fish treated to CBD alone. Collectively, these results indicate that PPARγ, Cnr1, and Cnr2 all play crucial roles in the developmental toxicity of THC and CBD.
2021-01-01 | GSE164128 | GEO