Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol injection induces cytokine-mediated mortality of mice infected with Legionella pneumophila.

Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) injection modulates immune cell function, but the significance of this in altering host resistance to infection is not understood. In addition, exposure to THC and other drugs of abuse during infection is associated with an acute mortality syndrome. We examined the effect of THC injection on the survival of mice infected with Legionella pneumophila (Lp). Mice given two injections of THC (8 mg/kg)-one 24 hr before and the second 24 hr after a sublethal Lp infection-experienced acute collapse and death. The drug injection after infection caused death; deaths occurred within 30 min after the injection, and neither one nor two drug injections before infection resulted in death. The THC-induced mortality resembled cytokine-mediated shock in both kinetics and symptoms; therefore, sera from drug-treated animals were measured for the acute-phase cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL6). The level of each cytokine was significantly elevated by THC treatment, suggesting a role in the observed mortality. To directly test this role, mice were administered a single injection of either anti-TNF alpha, anti-IL6, or a mixture of anti-IL1 alpha and -IL1 beta antibodies 1 hr before the second THC injection. Results showed that each antibody treatment protected the mice, with anti-IL6 being the most effective. Fluctuations in blood granulocytes levels also supported a role of acute-phase cytokines in THC-induced mortality. These results show that THC injection increases the blood levels of acute-phase cytokines in infected animal and that these elevated levels, at least in part, account for the mortality induced by THC injection.