Abstract |
Several studies in cell cultures and in animal models have demonstrated that cannabinoids have important antitumoral properties. Because many of these effects are mediated through cannabinoid (CB) receptors CB₁ and CB₂, the study of their expression in human neoplasms has become of great interest in recent years. Fresh and formalin-fixed tissue samples of 20 consecutive clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCCs) were collected prospectively and analyzed for the expression of both CB receptors by using RT-PCR, Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemical techniques. RT-PCR assays demonstrated the expression of mRNA encoding the CB₁ in tumor tissue and in adjacent non-neoplastic kidney. Conversely, WB and IHC revealed a marked downregulation of CB₁ protein in tumor tissue; CB₂ was not expressed. The obtained data suggest a possible implication of the endocannabinoid system in renal carcinogenesis. A posttranscriptional downregulation of CB₁ and the absence of expression of CB₂ characterize CCRCC.
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Authors | Gorka Larrinaga, Begoña Sanz, Itxaro Pérez, Lorena Blanco, María L Cándenas, Francisco M Pinto, Javier Gil, José I López |
Journal | The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society
(J Histochem Cytochem)
Vol. 58
Issue 12
Pg. 1129-34
(Dec 2010)
ISSN: 1551-5044 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20852034
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- RNA, Messenger
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
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Topics |
- Blotting, Western
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell
(genetics, metabolism)
- Down-Regulation
(genetics)
- Female
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Kidney Neoplasms
(genetics, metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- RNA, Messenger
(genetics)
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
(genetics, metabolism)
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
(genetics, metabolism)
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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