Differential expression and functional role of cannabinoid genes in alcohol users

Functional effects of CBRs on MDDCs were shown by CB2 and GPR55 siRNA transfection. Transfected EtOH-treated cells showed significantly higher levels of proinflammatory cytokine production as measured by IL-1β expression. Our results provide insights into alcohol mechanisms of DC regulation and show, for the first time, that alcohol is inducing CNR2 and GPR55 in human DCs.