>>USF Health immunologist receives $1.45 Million from National Institute on Drug Abuse

Tampa, FL (April 17, 2006) – Thomas W. Klein PhD, professor of Molecular Medicine and Interdisciplinary Oncology at USF Health, has received a new five-year, $1.45 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, to continue studying marijuana's influence on the immune system. The study titled, "Role of Cannabinoid 2 Receptors in B Lymphocyte Function," will focus on how drugs, derived from marijuana, play a role in modulating immunity. Dr. Klein and others have found that these drugs called cannabinoids are potent regulators of immunity and inflammation.

"This is an exciting time in the cannabinoid field," said Dr. Klein. "Many cannabinoid-based drugs are now in the testing phase for the treatment of a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases and also being used in treating addictive disorders."

Receptors that react to cannabinoids and related compounds have been found in tissues throughout the body, including the brain and immune system. However, exactly how these receptors regulate immunity, especially antibody-mediated immunity is unclear and will be the focus of the newly funded study. This work will have direct importance in designing more effective drugs for the treatment of immune diseases and especially chronic inflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer's, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and others.

"We know so much more today about how the endocannabinoid system works in our bodies -- 10 years ago we didn't even know the system existed," said Dr. Klein.  "Our group at USF Health is a leader in area of cannabinoids and immunity."

Besides the use of these drugs in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, cannabinoid-based drugs are in clinical trials for obesity management and smoking cessation. "Just think, you might be able to lose 25 pounds, quit smoking, and get relief from your arthritis all from a single combination dose of these types of drugs," Dr. Klein said. "I know the Europeans are thinking along these lines."

Dr. Klein's coinvestigators for the NIDA grant are Herman Friedman, PhD; Lynn Wecker, PhD; Cathy Newton, MS; Peter Medveczky, MD; and Ray Widen, PhD.