title: Expression of the Endocannabinoid Receptor 1 in Human Stroke: An Autoptic Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the world. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is upregulated in several neurological diseases including stroke. A previous animal study demonstrated an increased expression of the endocannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) in the penumbra area surrounding the ischemic core, suggesting a crucial role in inflammation/reperfusion after stroke. Regarding the localization of CB1/CB2 receptors, animal studies showed that cortical neurons, activated microglia, and astroglia are involved. Our aim was to evaluate the cerebral expression of CB1R in the ischemic brain areas of 9 patients who died due to acute cerebral infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cerebral autoptic tissue was collected within 48 hours since death. Ischemic and contralateral normal-appearing areas were identified. After tissue preprocessing, 4-µm-thick cerebral sections were incubated with the primary CB1R antibodies (Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI). Thereafter, all cerebral sections were hematoxylin treated. In each section, the total cell number and CB1R-positive cells were counted and the CB1R-positive cell count ratio was calculated. For statistical analysis, Student's t-test was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In normal tissue, CB1R-positive neurons were the majority; a few non-neuronal cells expressed CB1R. In the ischemic areas, a few neurons were detectable. A significant increase in total CB1R staining was found in the ischemic regions compared to contralateral areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found an increase in CB1R expression in the ischemic region (neuronal and non-neuronal cell staining), suggesting the inflammatory reaction to the ischemic insult. Whether such response might mediate neuroprotective actions or excitotoxicity-related detrimental effects is still unclear.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: caruso.paola1983@libero.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naccarato
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Faoro
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Danae
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pracella
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borando
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dotti
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koscica
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stanta
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzolato
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Neurological Department - Stroke Unit, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manganotti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
keywords: Ischemic stroke; autoptic study; cannabinoid receptors; inflammation; ischemic core; penumbra