Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits Hedgehog-dependent patterning during development

Many developmental disorders are thought to arise from an interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway regulates myriad developmental processes, and pathway inhibition is associated with birth defects, including holoprosencephaly (HPE). Cannabinoids are HH pathway inhibitors, but little is known of their effects on HH-dependent processes in mammalian embryos, and their mechanism of action is unclear. We report that the psychoactive cannabinoid Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) induces two hallmark HH loss-of-function phenotypes (HPE and ventral neural tube patteming defects) in Cdon mutant mice, which have a subthreshold deficit in HH signaling. THC therefore acts as a 'conditional teratogen', dependent on a complementary but insufficient genetic insult. In vitro findings indicate that THC is a direct inhibitor of the essential HH signal transducer smoothened. The canonical THC receptor, cannabinoid receptor-type 1, is not required for THC to inhibit HH signaling. Cannabis consumption during pregnancy may contribute to a combination of risk factors underlying specific developmental disorders. These findings therefore have significant public health relevance.

Automated summary

Developmental disorders are often the result of an interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. THC, a cannabinoid compound, has been found to induce developmental defects in mice with specific genetic mutations related to the Hedgehog signaling pathway. The study suggests that THC could act as a conditional teratogen, with important implications for public health.