The cannabinoid receptors are required for ultraviolet-induced inflammation and skin cancer development.

Abstract

Solar UV irradiation is an important carcinogen that leads to the development of skin cancer, which is the most common human cancer. However, the receptors that mediate UV-induced skin carcinogenesis have not yet been unequivocally identified. Here we showed that UV irradiation directly activates cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1/2). Notably, our data indicated that the absence of the CB1/2 receptors in mice results in a dramatic resistance to UVB-induced inflammation and a marked decrease in UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis. A marked attenuation of UVB-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor- kappaB was associated with CB1/2 deficiency. These data provide direct evidence indicating that the CB1/2 receptors play a key role in UV-induced inflammation and skin cancer development.

• Authors: Duo Zheng, Ann M Bode, Qing Zhao, Yong-Yeon Cho, Feng Zhu, Wei-Ya Ma, Zigang Dong
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 68 Issue 10 Pg. 3992-8 (May 15 2008) ISSN: 1538-7445 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18483286 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• NF-kappa B
• Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
• Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Differentiation
• Female
• Fibroblasts (metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Transgenic
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 (metabolism, physiology)
• Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 (metabolism, physiology)
• Signal Transduction
• Skin Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Ultraviolet Rays