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In utero exposure of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects vascular transcriptome in rhesus macaques

ABSTRACT: 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.

ORGANISM(S): Macaca mulatta

PROVIDER: GSE244644 | GEO | 2024/07/07

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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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.

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.

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In utero exposure of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects vascular transcriptome in rhesus macaques

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