Cytoskeletal organization following cannabinoid treatment in undifferentiated and differentiated PC12 cells

Abstract

Confocal microscopy in association with three-dimensional reconstruction was used to examine the changes in the microtubules and microfilaments following cannabinoid treatment of PC12 cells. Microtubules and microfilaments were disrupted in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with 10–30 μM Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A disruption of microtubules and microfilaments was observed following treatment with 30 μM cannabidiol and cannabinol. The amount of microtubules and microfilaments was reduced in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with 10 and 20 μM THC. Cannabidiol and cannabinol reduced the amount of microtubules and microfilaments; however, the reduction was less than that observed with THC treatment. Following the addition of nerve growth factor, differentiated PC12 cells were generally more sensitive to cannabinoid treatments than undifferentiated cells. The possible mechanisms that may account for the changes in microtubules and microfilaments following cannabinoid treatment are discussed.Key words: cannabinoids, confocal microscopy, cytoskeleton, pheochromocytoma, PC12 cells, volume reconstruction.