# Define the effects and mechanism of THC and CBD on IFN-I mediated inflammation and immune dysfunction during HIV infection

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $370,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
One of the hallmarks of HIV infection is chronic immune activation/inflammation, which is strongly associated
with and predictive of HIV disease progression, even in patients that were successfully treated with anti-retroviral
therapy (ART). We and other have shown that chronic elevation of type I IFN signaling in HIV+ individuals is a
major driver in immune activation. Alleviating chronic activation may reduce disease progression and prevent or
slow down progression of HIV-associated diseases, including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND),
which is fueled by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). In recent years, studies have suggested
that major components of cannabis, namely THC and CBD, may have anti-inflammatory properties. However,
the individual and combined effects and mechanisms of THC and CBD on immune activation during HIV infection
remain elusive. In this project, we aim to study the individual and combined effects of THC and CBD on immune
cell activation and CNS inflammation during HIV infection. We hypothesize that THC and CBD regulate IFN-I
mediated inflammation differently by binding to and signaling through diverse cannabinoid receptors. We will
carefully evaluate if treatment of THC and CBD have the potential to reduce chronic inflammation and improve
immune function against HIV infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10267753
- **Project number:** 5R01DA052841-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT G KITCHEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $370,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10267753

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10267753, Define the effects and mechanism of THC and CBD on IFN-I mediated inflammation and immune dysfunction during HIV infection (5R01DA052841-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10267753. Licensed CC0.

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