3.5. ON cells from cannabis users have a distinct morphology
Taking into account the proteomic results, we evaluated the potential
changes in cell morphology by measuring the area and perimeter occupied
by microtubules stained with β-III-Tubulin, as well as the cell shape
(Fig. 5). After measuring 100 cells in each sample, there was an
increase in size of the cells obtained from cannabis users relative to
the controls (t=7.804, p<0.0001, Fig. 5B-D). Furthermore, a
high percentage of cells had a roundness value between 2 and 4, with
significant differences between groups in this parameter (t = 2.804, p =
0.021, Fig. 5E). These changes in cell morphology might be explained by
the alterations in the proteomic assay, with an up-regulation of
proteins related to actin cytoskeleton signalling (Fig. 3A). Moreover,
we observed an increase in the β-Actin in cells derived from cannabis
users when measured in western blots (t=3.254, p=0.031, Fig. 5F-G).
Together, these data indicate that the cytoskeleton was altered in cells
derived from cannabis users, with consequences for cell size and shape.