(Press-News.org) Contact information: Jeff Stensland
jeffstens@mailbox.sc.edu
803-777-3686
University of South Carolina
Study shows marijuana's potential for treating autoimmune disorders
Research shows how MicroRNA affected by THC
A new study from researchers at the University of South Carolina provides evidence that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a principal ingredient in marijuana, may be beneficial in treating those with autoimmune disorders.
The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, is the first to explore how tiny, yet powerful molecules called microRNAs are influenced by THC. MicroRNAs are a recently discovered class of non-coding RNAs that play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression. The ability to alter microRNA expression could hold the key to successful treatments for a whole host of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.
The study was performed by researchers from USC's School of Medicine by injecting laboratory mice with THC and analyzing 609 microRNAs. The researchers identified 13 unique microRNAs that were highly altered by THC.
MicroRNAs have profound effects on the immune system, acting as 'brakes' that target more than 60 percent of all gene expression. Since microRNAs normally suppress the expression of genes, when a microRNA is overexpressed, the affected gene gets silenced. But when microRNA is turned off, the affected gene is expressed at an elevated level.
The authors also studied how a specific microRNA--miRNA-690--that was highly overexpressed in response to THC functionally targets an important protein called C/EBPα. This molecule in turn triggers unique cells known as MDSC that suppress inflammation. When the researchers successfully knocked down miRNA-690, the effect of THC was reversed.
Lead authors Drs. Prakash and Mitzi Nagarkatti have studied how marijuana can alter immune functions and inflammation for over a decade. They were the first to show that marijuana components trigger MDSC to suppress inflammation. The current study performed by Dr. Venkatesh Hegde along with others from their team suggested that marijuana can act as a double-edged sword--on one hand suppressing inflammation and thereby increasing susceptibility to certain diseases, while on the other serving as effective treatment modalities against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Mitzi Nagarkatti, chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at USC's School of Medicine, said the latest study demonstrates that understanding how to control microRNA expression holds tremendous potential for new medical breakthroughs.
"MicroRNA therapeutics is an important, rapidly growing area with major pharmaceutical companies getting into this discovery and development," Nagarkatti said. "While our study identifies the molecular mechanism of immune-altering effects of marijuana, select microRNA identified here could serve as important molecular targets to manipulate MDSC activity in cancer and inflammatory diseases."
### END
Study shows marijuana's potential for treating autoimmune disorders
Research shows how MicroRNA affected by THC
2013-11-25
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Offshore pockmarks, Wax Lake Delta, Cabo de Gata, the Siberian Traps: Geology covers the world
2013-11-25
Offshore pockmarks, Wax Lake Delta, Cabo de Gata, the Siberian Traps: Geology covers the world
New Geology articles posted online ahead of print 22 Nov. 2013
Boulder, Colo., USA – Locations studied for this month's posting of Geology articles include New Zealand's ...
Golden staph paralyzes our immune defenses
2013-11-25
Golden staph paralyzes our immune defenses
A ringside seat in the war against infection
When golden staph enters our skin it can identify the key immune cells and 'nuke' our body's immune response.
Now we know how, thanks to an international research ...
Chinese scientists reveal the genomic enigma of desert poplar
2013-11-25
Chinese scientists reveal the genomic enigma of desert poplar
November 25, 2013, Shenzhen, China - In a collaborative study, researchers from Lanzhou University, BGI and other institutes have succeeded in unraveling the whole genome sequence of desert poplar, Populus euphratica, and the genetic ...
Ultra-sensitive force sensing with a levitating nanoparticle
2013-11-25
Ultra-sensitive force sensing with a levitating nanoparticle
ICFO scientists have optically levitated nanoparticles in high vacuum conditions and measured the highest Q-factor ever observed in nano- or micromechanical systems
A recent study ...
2 new beautiful wasp species of the rare genus Abernessia
2013-11-25
2 new beautiful wasp species of the rare genus Abernessia
Two new beautiful wasp species are added to the rare pompilid genus Abernessia, which now contains a total of only four known species. The two new species A. prima and A. capixaba are believed to be endemic for Brazil ...
Tidy knots are faster
2013-11-25
Tidy knots are faster
How long does it take a virus to infect a cell?
Viruses are as simple as they are "smart": too elementary to be able to reproduce by themselves, they exploit the reproductive "machinery" of cells, ...
Underestimated future climate change?
2013-11-25
Underestimated future climate change?
This news release is available in German. Many scientists believe that global warming will come to an end if, some day, human succeeds in stopping the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. It would, ...
Latest research findings offer potential new treatments for acute myeloid leukemia
2013-11-25
Latest research findings offer potential new treatments for acute myeloid leukemia
2 separate studies yield key findings for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure for the disease
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of heterogeneous diseases ...
Human neural stem cells could meet the clinical problem of critical limb ischemia
2013-11-25
Human neural stem cells could meet the clinical problem of critical limb ischemia
New research has shown human neural stem cells could improve blood flow in critical limb ischemia through the growth of new vessels. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a disease ...
UEF study determines reference values for children's heart rate variability
2013-11-25
UEF study determines reference values for children's heart rate variability
Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful method when assessing the role of the nervous system for heart function. Standard reference values for ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Cercus electric stimulation enables cockroach with trajectory control and spatial cognition training
Day-long conference addresses difficult to diagnose lung disease
First-ever cardiogenic shock academy features simulation lab
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
[Press-News.org] Study shows marijuana's potential for treating autoimmune disordersResearch shows how MicroRNA affected by THC