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Substance Use and Immunity in HIV+ Adolescents by Systems Biology

Marijuana contains a complex variety of unique cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), known to impact inflammatory and lymphocyte activation pathways in the lymphoid tissues and brain. While marijuana continues to be classified under United States federal law as an illegal drug, medical use of cannabis is legal in at least 35 states, including 16 states and the District of Columbia where recreational marijuana is approved for individuals over the age of 21. In many states HIV infection is the sole indication for the use of medicinal marijuana as adjuvant therapy. Cannabis is effective in the treatment of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy, improves appetite, and enhances overall quality of life of people with HIV while the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis may improve HIV-associated complications. However, few studies have examined the effect of recreational or medicinal cannabis use on inflammatory pathways in peripheral blood cells among individuals with HIV. The goal for this study is to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of recreational marijuana use by YWH. Using a systems biology approach, unique genetic and cellular pathways within the peripheral blood cell transcriptome in a population of virally suppressed YWH on ART who used marijuana, alone or in combination with tobacco, compared to a reference group of youth without HIV.