18 research outputs found
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses in vitro
BACKGROUND: The major psychoactive cannabinoid compound of marijuana, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been shown to modulate immune responses and lymphocyte function. After primary infection the viral DNA genome of gamma herpesviruses persists in lymphoid cell nuclei in a latent episomal circular form. In response to extracellular signals, the latent virus can be activated, which leads to production of infectious virus progeny. Therefore, we evaluated the potential effects of THC on gamma herpesvirus replication. METHODS: Tissue cultures infected with various gamma herpesviruses were cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of THC and the amount of viral DNA or infectious virus yield was compared to those of control cultures. The effect of THC on Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication was measured by the Gardella method and replication of herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) of monkeys, murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (MHV 68), and herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) was measured by yield reduction assays. Inhibition of the immediate early ORF 50 gene promoter activity was measured by the dual luciferase method. RESULTS: Micromolar concentrations of THC inhibit KSHV and EBV reactivation in virus infected/immortalized B cells. THC also strongly inhibits lytic replication of MHV 68 and HVS in vitro. Importantly, concentrations of THC that inhibit virus replication of gamma herpesviruses have no effect on cell growth or HSV-1 replication, indicating selectivity. THC was shown to selectively inhibit the immediate early ORF 50 gene promoter of KSHV and MHV 68. CONCLUSIONS: THC specifically targets viral and/or cellular mechanisms required for replication and possibly shared by these gamma herpesviruses, and the endocannabinoid system is possibly involved in regulating gamma herpesvirus latency and lytic replication. The immediate early gene ORF 50 promoter activity was specifically inhibited by THC. These studies may also provide the foundation for the development of antiviral strategies utilizing non-psychoactive derivatives of THC
Haloanilino Derivatives of Pyrimidines, Purines, and Purine Nucleoside Analogs: Synthesis and Activity against Human Cytomegalovirus
Inhibition of replication of oncogenic herpesviruses
A method of treating gamma oncogenic herpesviruses, in vivo, through use of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC inhibits KSHV and EBV reactivation as well as inhibiting lytic replication of MHV 68 and HVS in vitro. Specifically, THC inhibits immediate early gene ORF 50 promoter activity
The terminal repeats and latency-associated nuclear antigen of herpesvirus saimiri are essential for episomal persistence of the viral genome
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses -1
<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses "</p><p>BMC Medicine 2004;2():34-34.</p><p>Published online 15 Sep 2004</p><p>PMCID:PMC521080.</p><p>Copyright © 2004 Medveczky et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p> in the presence or absence of various concentrations of THC (0.625–10 μg/ml) or equivalent volumes of DMSO
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses -5
<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses "</p><p>BMC Medicine 2004;2():34-34.</p><p>Published online 15 Sep 2004</p><p>PMCID:PMC521080.</p><p>Copyright © 2004 Medveczky et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p>ty of 2 and cultured in the presence of various concentrations of THC or equivalent DMSO. Twenty-four hours after infection, all cultures showed complete cytopathic effect and destruction of cells. To liberate cell-associated virus, cultures were subjected to a cycle of freeze-thawing; cells were homogenized and virus was titrated
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses -3
<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses "</p><p>BMC Medicine 2004;2():34-34.</p><p>Published online 15 Sep 2004</p><p>PMCID:PMC521080.</p><p>Copyright © 2004 Medveczky et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p>ous concentrations of THC (0.625–10 μg/ml) and photographed
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses -4
<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses "</p><p>BMC Medicine 2004;2():34-34.</p><p>Published online 15 Sep 2004</p><p>PMCID:PMC521080.</p><p>Copyright © 2004 Medveczky et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p>nits of HSV-1 per plate and cultured in the presence of various concentrations of THC or equivalent DMSO solvent. Photographs were taken four days after infection