The Link between Cannabis Use, Immune System, and Viral Infections

Cannabis continues to be the most used drug in the world today. Research shows that cannabis use is associated with a wide range of adverse health consequences that may involve almost every physiological and biochemical system including respiratory/pulmonary complications such as chronic cough and emphysema, impairment of immune function, and increased risk of acquiring or transmitting viral infections such as HIV, HCV, and others. The review of published research shows that cannabis use may impair immune function in many instances and thereby exerts an impact on viral infections including human immune deficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C infection (HCV), and human T-cell lymphotropic type I and II virus (HTLV-I/II). The need for more research is also highlighted in the areas of long-term effects of cannabis use on pulmonary/respiratory diseases, immune dysfunction and the risk of infection transmission, and the molecular/genetic basis of immune dysfunction in chronic cannabis users.

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Immunological Aspects Related to Viral Infections in Severe Asthma and the Role of Omalizumab

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9040348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 348

Author(s):

Francesco Menzella ◽

Giulia Ghidoni ◽

Carla Galeone ◽

Silvia Capobelli ◽

Chiara Scelfo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Innate Immunity ◽

Severe Asthma ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Antiviral Effect ◽

Point Of View ◽

Type I ◽

Effector Cells ◽

Viral Spread ◽

Increased Risk

Viral respiratory infections are recognized risk factors for the loss of control of allergic asthma and the induction of exacerbations, both in adults and children. Severe asthma is more susceptible to virus-induced asthma exacerbations, especially in the presence of high IgE levels. In the course of immune responses to viruses, an initial activation of innate immunity typically occurs and the production of type I and III interferons is essential in the control of viral spread. However, the Th2 inflammatory environment still appears to be protective against viral infections in general and in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections as well. As for now, literature data, although extremely limited and preliminary, show that severe asthma patients treated with biologics don’t have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or progression to severe forms compared to the non-asthmatic population. Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, exerts a profound cellular effect, which can stabilize the effector cells, and is becoming much more efficient from the point of view of innate immunity in contrasting respiratory viral infections. In addition to the antiviral effect, clinical efficacy and safety of this biological allow a great improvement in the management of asthma.

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Context Is Key: Delineating the Unique Functions of IFNα and IFNβ in Disease

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2020.606874 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Lindsey E. Fox ◽

Marissa C. Locke ◽

Deborah J. Lenschow

Keyword(s):

Viral Infections ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Disease States ◽

Type I Ifns ◽

Wide Range ◽

Individual Type ◽

Effector Cytokines ◽

The Individual

Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical effector cytokines of the immune system and were originally known for their important role in protecting against viral infections; however, they have more recently been shown to play protective or detrimental roles in many disease states. Type I IFNs consist of IFNα, IFNβ, IFNϵ, IFNκ, IFNω, and a few others, and they all signal through a shared receptor to exert a wide range of biological activities, including antiviral, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and immunomodulatory effects. Though the individual type I IFN subtypes possess overlapping functions, there is growing appreciation that they also have unique properties. In this review, we summarize some of the mechanisms underlying differential expression of and signaling by type I IFNs, and we discuss examples of differential functions of IFNα and IFNβ in models of infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmunity.

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Infection of human T-cell leukemia virus type I and development of human T-cell leukemia lymphoma in patients with hematologic neoplasms: a possible linkage to blood transfusion

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v74.1.388.388 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 388-394 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

YC Chen ◽

CH Wang ◽

IJ Su ◽

CY Hu ◽

MJ Chou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Blood Transfusion ◽

Latent Period ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Type I ◽

T Cell Leukemia ◽

Cell Leukemia ◽

Cell Leukemia Virus Type ◽

Human T Cell ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Among 354 adult patients with either hematological malignancy or aplastic anemia, eight were positive for anti-HTLV-I antibodies; six of eight had received multiple transfusions. There was an approximately 3.5-fold increase (P less than .001) of HTLV-I seropositivity in the patients with hematologic disease (8 of 354, 2.23%) compared to the healthy adults older than 20 years (34 of 5252, .65%). Two hematological patients, one with Hodgkin's disease and one with acute promyelocytic leukemia, were found to be positive for HTLV-I, and developed and died of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) subsequently. Both were long-term survivors of the primary disease and had received multiple transfusions. The latent period from blood transfusion to onset of ATL was 6 months and 11 years, respectively. Immunocompromised patients, who were seropositive for HTLV-I, may be at increased risk for ATL compared to healthy carriers of HTLV-I, and the latent period may be shorter.

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Infection of human T-cell leukemia virus type I and development of human T-cell leukemia lymphoma in patients with hematologic neoplasms: a possible linkage to blood transfusion

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v74.1.388.bloodjournal741388 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 388-394

Author(s):

YC Chen ◽

CH Wang ◽

IJ Su ◽

CY Hu ◽

MJ Chou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Blood Transfusion ◽

Latent Period ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Type I ◽

T Cell Leukemia ◽

Cell Leukemia ◽

Cell Leukemia Virus Type ◽

Human T Cell ◽

Increased Risk

Among 354 adult patients with either hematological malignancy or aplastic anemia, eight were positive for anti-HTLV-I antibodies; six of eight had received multiple transfusions. There was an approximately 3.5-fold increase (P less than .001) of HTLV-I seropositivity in the patients with hematologic disease (8 of 354, 2.23%) compared to the healthy adults older than 20 years (34 of 5252, .65%). Two hematological patients, one with Hodgkin's disease and one with acute promyelocytic leukemia, were found to be positive for HTLV-I, and developed and died of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) subsequently. Both were long-term survivors of the primary disease and had received multiple transfusions. The latent period from blood transfusion to onset of ATL was 6 months and 11 years, respectively. Immunocompromised patients, who were seropositive for HTLV-I, may be at increased risk for ATL compared to healthy carriers of HTLV-I, and the latent period may be shorter.

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Human Type I Interferon Antiviral Effects in Respiratory and Reemerging Viral Infections

Journal of Immunology Research ◽

10.1155/2020/1372494 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Patricio L. Acosta ◽

Alana B. Byrne ◽

Diego R. Hijano ◽

Laura B. Talarico

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Host Defense ◽

Immune Modulation ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Antiviral Effects ◽

Wide Range

Type I interferons (IFN-I) are a group of related proteins that help regulate the activity of the immune system and play a key role in host defense against viral infections. Upon infection, the IFN-I are rapidly secreted and induce a wide range of effects that not only act upon innate immune cells but also modulate the adaptive immune system. While IFN-I and many IFN stimulated genes are well-known for their protective antiviral role, recent studies have associated them with potential pathogenic functions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the complex effects of human IFN-I responses in respiratory as well as reemerging flavivirus infections of public health significance and the molecular mechanisms by which viral proteins antagonize the establishment of an antiviral host defense. Antiviral effects and immune modulation of IFN-stimulated genes is discussed in resisting and controlling pathogens. Understanding the mechanisms of these processes will be crucial in determining how viral replication can be effectively controlled and in developing safe and effective vaccines and novel therapeutic strategies.

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Immunological Aspects Related to Viral Infections in Severe Asthma and the Role of Omalizumab

10.20944/preprints202103.0597.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francesco Menzella ◽

Giulia Ghidoni ◽

Carla Galeone ◽

Silvia Capobelli ◽

Chiara Scelfo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Innate Immunity ◽

Severe Asthma ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Antiviral Effect ◽

Point Of View ◽

Type I ◽

Effector Cells ◽

Viral Spread ◽

Increased Risk

Viral respiratory infections are recognized risk factors for the loss of control of allergic asthma and the induction of exacerbations, both in adults and children. Severe asthma is more susceptible to virus-induced asthma exacerbations, especially in the presence of high IgE levels. In the course of immune responses to viruses, an initial activation of innate immunity typically occurs and the production of type I and III interferons is essential in the control of viral spread. However, the Th2 inflammatory environment still appears to be protective against viral infections in general and in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections as well. As for now, literature data, although very limited and preliminary, show that severe asthma patients treated with biologics don’t have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or progression to severe forms compared to the non-asthmatic population. Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, exerts a profound cellular effect, which is able to stabilize the effector cells becoming much more efficient from the point of view of innate immunity in contrasting respiratory viral infections. In addition to the antiviral effect, clinical efficacy and safety of this biological allows a great improvement in the management of asthma.

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Leukemias

10.1093/oso/9780190676827.003.0028 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Eve Roman ◽

Alexandra Smith ◽

Lorelei Mucci

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Small Proportion ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Good Prognosis ◽

Adult T Cell Leukemia ◽

Human T Cell ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Children And Young Adults

Leukemias are a diverse group of acute and chronic haematological malignancies, that account for 2% to 3% of cancers globally. Recent advances in molecular biology and therapy have transformed the landscape for several leukemia subtypes changing some, but by no means all, from rapidly fatal diseases to treatable conditions with a good prognosis. In general, however, this progress has not been matched by new aetiological insights. Albeit accounting for a relatively small proportion, genetic predisposition syndromes such as neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni and Trisomy 21, have the biggest impact in children and young adults. At older ages, established chemical, physical and biological risk factors, which explain only a small proportion of the total disease burden, include chemotherapy for a preceding cancer, ionizing radiation, and the viral infections human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) which causes the rare adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which is associated with an increased risk of acute lymphoid leukaemias. Workplace exposures to potential carcinogens such as benzene, butadiene, and styrene have also been linked to increased risk of leukemia.

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Cancer Patients Have a Higher Risk Regarding COVID-19–and Vice Versa?

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph13070143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 143 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Franz Geisslinger ◽

Angelika M. Vollmar ◽

Karin Bartel

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Disease Progression ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Special Focus ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Inflammatory Immune Response

The world is currently suffering from a pandemic which has claimed the lives of over 230,000 people to date. The responsible virus is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is mainly characterized by fever, cough and shortness of breath. In severe cases, the disease can lead to respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock, which are mostly fatal for the patient. The severity of disease progression was hypothesized to be related to an overshooting immune response and was correlated with age and comorbidities, including cancer. A lot of research has lately been focused on the pathogenesis and acute consequences of COVID-19. However, the possibility of long-term consequences caused by viral infections which has been shown for other viruses are not to be neglected. In this regard, this opinion discusses the interplay of SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer with special focus on the inflammatory immune response and tissue damage caused by infection. We summarize the available literature on COVID-19 suggesting an increased risk for severe disease progression in cancer patients, and we discuss the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could contribute to cancer development. We offer lines of thought to provide ideas for urgently needed studies on the potential long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Association between prenatal exposure to analgesics and risk of schizophrenia

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.185.5.366 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 185 (5) ◽

pp. 366-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Holger J. Sørensen ◽

Erik L. Mortensen ◽

June M. Reinisch ◽

Sarnoff A. Mednick

Keyword(s):

Prenatal Exposure ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Second Trimester ◽

Parental History ◽

Central Register ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Wide Range ◽

History Of ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Using Data

BackgroundDisturbances in the central nervous system originating during foetal life may increase the risk of schizophrenia.AimsTo illuminate the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to analgesics may affect foetal neurodevelopment, leading to increased risk of schizophrenia in adulthood.MethodUsing data from the Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort and from the Danish Psychiatric Central Register, we studied the relationship between prenatal exposure to analgesics and the risk of schizophrenia. The effect of prenatal exposure was adjusted for parental history of schizophrenia, second-trimester viral infections, concomitant drug treatment during pregnancy, an index of pregnancy complications, parental social status and parental age.ResultsIn a risk set of 7999 individuals, 116 cases of schizophrenia were found (1.5%). Prenatal exposure to analgesics in the second trimester was associated with an elevated risk (adjusted odds ratio 4.75, 95% CI1.9–12.0). Independent of the covariates, the effect remained statistically significant.ConclusionsIndependent of a wide range of possible confounders, a significant association between second-trimester exposure to analgesics and increased risk of schizophrenia was observed.

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Understanding the genetic determinant of severity in viral diseases: a case of SARS-Cov-2 infection

Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics ◽

10.1186/s43042-020-00122-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Babayemi Olawale Oladejo ◽

Covenant Femi Adeboboye ◽

Tinuola Tokunbo Adebolu

Keyword(s):

Genetic Factors ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Genetic Diagnosis ◽

Young Patients ◽

Disease Genes ◽

Main Body ◽

Severe Condition ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Numerous research studies have identified specific human gene variants that affect enhanced susceptibility to viral infections. More recently is the current pandemic where the SARS-CoV-2 infection has shown a high degree of person-to-person clinical variability. A wide range of disease severity occurs in the patients’ experiences, from asymptomatic cases, mild infections to serious life threatening conditions requiring admission into the intensive care unit (ICU). Main body of the abstract Although, it is generally reported that age and co-morbidities contribute significantly to the variations in the clinical outcome of the scourge of COVID-19, a hypothetical question of the possibility of genetic involvement in the susceptibility and severity of the disease arose when some unique severe outcomes were seen among young patients with no co-morbidity. The role human genetics play in clinical response to the viral infections is scarcely understood; however, several ongoing researches all around the world are currently focusing on possible genetic factors. This review reports the possible genetic factors that have been widely studied in defining the severity of viral infections using SARS-CoV-2 as a case study. These involve the possible involvements of ACE2, HLA, and TLR genes such as TLR7 and TLR3 in the presentation of a more severe condition. Short conclusion Understanding these variations could help to inform efforts to identify people at increased risk of infection outbreaks through genetic diagnosis of infections by locating disease genes or mutations that predispose patients to severe infection. This will also suggest specific targets for therapy and prophylaxis.

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