Neuronal and astrocytic localization of the cannabinoid receptor-1 in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord.
Cannabinoids are involved in the control of pain at the spinal level through the cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1) localized pre- and postsynaptically on primary afferent fibres and dorsal horn interneurones, respectively. Using immunocytochemistry, we show that in addition to its neuronal localization, CB1 is also expressed in numerous astrocytes in laminae I and II of the rat dorsal horn. This ubiquitous localization may account for the complex role played by cannabinoids in antinociception. CB1 receptors in astrocytes may be involved in the anti-hyperalgesic action of exogenous cannabinoids.
Salio
Chiara
C
CNRS UMR 7101, Neurobiologie des Signaux Intercellulaires, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 7 Quai Saint Bernard, 75252 Cedex 05, Paris, France.
Doly
Stéphane
S
Fischer
Jacqueline
J
Franzoni
Maria Fosca
MF
Conrath
Marie
M
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007395:Interneurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000032:analysis*
D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug