Preprint
Antiviral and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol in HIV/SIV Infection
bioRxiv
25 Sep 2025
PMID: 41040324
Abstract
Persistent reservoirs and chronic immune activation are hallmarks of HIV, despite the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in suppressing viral replication. Here, we use rhesus macaques and primary and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human immune cells to evaluate the virologic and immunologic consequences of cannabidiol (CBD) exposure during HIV/SIV infection. We show that CBD, in the absence of ART, suppresses viral replication and establishment of the viral reservoir to levels comparable with first-line therapies during acute SIV infection of rhesus macaques. This antiviral effect of CBD extended to
HIV infection of human macrophages, T cells, and microglia. Immunologically, we observe CBD slowed CD4+ T cell decline and polarization, decreased CD14+CD16+ monocyte expansion, and reduced interferon-inducible cytokine release in rhesus macaques. We identify comparable effects on cytokine production with
CBD treatment of human macrophages, T cells, and microglia. Importantly, we find CBD inhibits cytokines only when an immune response is elicited by HIV, suggesting it is not broadly immunosuppressive. Finally, we determine CBD regulates endocannabinoid receptors, modulators, and transporters and inhibits NF-κb and STAT1 activation when mediating its antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. These findings show beneficial effects of CBD in laboratory models of untreated HIV, thus placebo-controlled clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adjunctive CBD use with ART is warranted.
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Details
- Title
- Antiviral and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol in HIV/SIV Infection
- Creators
- A L Ellison - Emory UniversityJ J Rosado-Franco - Emory UniversityL Mamun - Emory UniversityS Knerler - Emory UniversityM Daniali - Drexel UniversityK Mehta - Emory UniversityS Williams-McLeod - Johns Hopkins UniversityJ Alvarez - Johns Hopkins UniversityS S JoynerR Vandrey - Johns Hopkins UniversityE M Weerts - Johns Hopkins UniversityP J Gaskill - Drexel UniversityM J Corley - University of California San DiegoL C Ndhlovu - Cornell UniversityD W Williams - Emory University
- Publication Details
- bioRxiv
- Publisher
- United States
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacology and Physiology
- Other Identifier
- 991022121727204721