“The molecular events mediating the immunomodulatory properties of cannabinoids have remained largely unresolved.

We have therefore investigated the molecular mechanism(s) through which R-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(morpholinyl)methyl] pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazinyl]-(1-napthanlenyl) methanone (WIN55212-2) modulate production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in HT-29 cells.

Release of IL-8 induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in expression of inhibitory kappa B (IkappaB) were monitored by Western blotting and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) was determined in electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSAs).

TNF-alpha induced release of IL-8 was inhibited by WIN55212-2 which also blocked the degradation of IkappaB-alpha and activation of NF-kappaB induced by TNF-alpha.

These data provide strong evidence that WIN55212-2 may modulate IL-8 release by negatively regulating the signaling cascade leading to the activation of NF-kappaB.

These findings highlight a potential mechanism for the immunomodulatory properties of cannabinoids and contribute towards acquiring a clear understanding of the role of cannabinoids in inflammation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16714014

“Essential involvement of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in acute inflammation.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7964163