Abnormal Cannabidiol Affects Production of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and Astrocyte Wound Closure in Primary Astrocytic-Microglial Cocultures

Abnormal cannabidiol (abn-CBD) exerts neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the impact of abn-CBD on the glial production of proinflammatory mediators and scar formation within in vitro models. Primary astrocytic-microglial cocultures and astrocytic cultures from neonatal C57BL/6 mice and CB(2) receptor knockout mice were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitrite were determined. Furthermore, we performed a live cell microscopy-based scratch-wound assay. After LPS stimulation, TNFα, IL-6 and nitrite production was more strongly increased in cocultures than in isolated astrocytes. Abn-CBD treatment attenuated the LPS-induced production of TNFα and nitrite in cocultures, while IL-6 production remained unaltered. In isolated astrocytes, only LPS-induced TNFα production was reduced by abn-CBD. Similar effects were observed after abn-CBD application in cocultures of CB(2) knockout mice. Interestingly, LPS-induced TNFα and nitrite levels were far lower in CB(2) knockout cultures compared to wildtypes, while IL-6 levels did not differ. In the scratch-wound assay, treatment with abn-CBD decelerated wound closure when microglial cells were present. Our data shows a differential role of abn-CBD for modulation of glial inflammation and astrocytic scar formation. These findings provide new explanations for mechanisms behind the neuroprotective potential of abn-CBD.