Cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist genistein attenuates marijuana-induced vascular inflammation

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Tzu-Tang Wei
  • Mark Chandy
  • Masataka Nishiga
  • Angela Zhang
  • Kaavya Krishna Kumar
  • Dilip Thomas
  • Amit Manhas
  • Siyeon Rhee
  • Ian Y Chen
  • Hung-Ta Wo
  • Saereh Khanamiri
  • Johnson Y Yang
  • Frederick J. Seidl
  • Noah Z. Burns
  • Chun Liu
  • Nazish Sayed
  • Jiun-Jie Shie
  • Chih-Fan Yeh
  • Kai-Chien Yang
  • Edward Lau
  • Kara L Lynch
  • Manuel Rivas
  • Brian K Kobilka
  • Joseph C Wu

Epidemiological studies reveal that marijuana increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, little is known about the mechanism. Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, binds to cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1/CNR1) in the vasculature and is implicated in CVD. A UK Biobank analysis found that cannabis was an risk factor for CVD. We found that marijuana smoking activated inflammatory cytokines implicated in CVD. In silico virtual screening identified genistein, a soybean isoflavone, as a putative CB1 antagonist. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells were used to model Δ 9-THC-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via NF-κB signaling. Knockdown of the CB1 receptor with siRNA, CRISPR interference, and genistein attenuated the effects of Δ 9-THC. In mice, genistein blocked Δ 9-THC-induced endothelial dysfunction in wire myograph, reduced atherosclerotic plaque, and had minimal penetration of the central nervous system. Genistein is a CB1 antagonist that attenuates Δ 9-THC-induced atherosclerosis.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCell
Volume185
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1676-1693.e23
ISSN0092-8674
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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