Influence of Maturity on Immunosuppression by 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

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Abstract
Marihuana and its principal active ingredient .DELTA.9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to be immunosuppressive in mice. The present study was conducted to determine if the immunosuppression was regulated by the maturity of the animal. Splenic lymphocytes from 4 wk old mice exposed to THC displayed a reduced capacity for mitogenic stimulation following in vitro exposure to phytohemagglutinin. Rosette formation, Ig[immunoglobulin]G plaque formation, and synthesis of circulating antibody to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) were also inhibited after exposure of young mice to THC. Cell-mediated immunity and rosette formation in 14 wk old mice was not significantly altered by treatment with THC as evidenced by the equivalent capacity of splenic lymphocytes from both drug and control animals to respond to mitogenic stimulation and to bind SRBC. Older mice were less responsive to immunosuppression by THC in relation to IgG plaque formation and hemagglutination titer.