Single-cell Transcriptome Mapping Identifies Common and Cell-type Specific Genes Affected by Acute Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Humans

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 26;10(1):3450. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59827-1.

Abstract

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known to modulate immune response in peripheral blood cells. The mechanisms of THC's effects on gene expression in human immune cells remains poorly understood. Combining a within-subject design with single cell transcriptome mapping, we report that THC acutely alters gene expression in 15,973 blood cells. We identified 294 transcriptome-wide significant genes among eight cell types including 69 common genes and 225 cell-type-specific genes affected by THC administration, including those genes involving in immune response, cytokine production, cell proliferation and apoptosis. We revealed distinct transcriptomic sub-clusters affected by THC in major immune cell types where THC perturbed cell-type-specific intracellular gene expression correlations. Gene set enrichment analysis further supports the findings of THC's common and cell-type-specific effects on immune response and cell toxicity. This comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides important insights into THC's acute effects on immune function that may have important medical implications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dronabinol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Active / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Male
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / genetics
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism
  • Single-Cell Analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CNR2 protein, human
  • Cytokines
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol hemisuccinate
  • Dronabinol