Expression of cannabinoid receptors in human kidney.
The presence of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and their physiological role in the kidney has been described in animal models but not in humans. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the presence of these receptors in human kidney, adult and fetal. For this purpose, RT-PCR, western-blot and immunohisto-chemical assays were performed. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of CB1 receptor mRNA receptor and the absence of the CB2 receptor mRNA in adult and fetal kidney. Western-blot and immunohistochemical assays revealed the presence of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor protein, which displayed a similar distribution in fetal and adult kidneys. Proximal and distal convoluted tubule cells and intercalated cells in the collecting ducts showed marked positivity. Conversely, the CB2 cannabinoid receptor protein was consistently negative in all cases. Our data suggest a possible implication of the endocannabinoid system in the physiology and development of the human kidney.
Larrinaga
Gorka
G
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. gorka.larrinaga@ehu.es
Varona
Adolfo
A
Pérez
Itxaro
I
Sanz
Begoña
B
Ugalde
Aitziber
A
Cándenas
M Luz
ML
Pinto
Francisco M
FM
Gil
Javier
J
López
José I
JI
D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2