LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Medical and recreational cannabis use is increasing significantly, but its impacts on oral health remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active component in cannabis, on periodontal fibroblast cell adhesion and migration to explore its role in periodontal regeneration and wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS The different distribution of cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) was characterized in the mouse periodontium. Human periodontal fibroblast cell (HPLF) adhesion and migration was analyzed by in vitro wound healing assay with and without THC. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway was investigated to uncover the underlying cellular mechanism. The receptor dependency of cannabinoid effects was examined by using selective antagonists to block THC. RESULTS Both CB1 and CB2 were expressed in periodontal tissues but with different expression patterns. THC promoted periodontal cell wound healing by inducing HPLF cell adhesion and migration. This was mediated by focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation and its modulation of MAPK activities. The effect of cannabinoids on periodontal fibroblast cell adhesion and migration were mainly dependent on the CB2. CONCLUSION These results suggested that cannabinoids may contribute to developing new therapeutics for periodontal regeneration and wound healing.