glyceryl-2-arachidonate and Acquired-Immunodeficiency-Syndrome

The failure of the immune system to mount a successful attack on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an old enigma for AIDS research. The high mutational capacity of HIV, which unremittingly confuses the immune system, is a major factor in immune failure. But this alone cannot fully explain the certain and inescapable failure of the immune system, leading to full-blown AIDS. Here, we propose the hypothesis that endogenous cannabinoids, derived mostly from macrophages, might participate in the general failure of the immune system in HIV-infected individuals.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; AIDS Dementia Complex; Animals; Arachidonic Acids; Cannabinoids; Endocannabinoids; Glycerides; HIV Envelope Protein gp120; HIV Envelope Protein gp160; HIV Infections; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Macrophages; Marijuana Smoking; Mice; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Receptors, Drug; Signal Transduction