Differential expression of functional cannabinoid receptors in human bladder detrusor and urothelium.

摘要

PURPOSE: Although cannabinoid receptor expression has been demonstrated in human brain and other peripheral neuronal tissues, definitive expression of these receptors in the human bladder has not been reported. Consequently we investigated the expression of functional cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors in human bladder detrusor and urothelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human bladders were micro-dissected for detrusor (6) and urothelium (8), and analyzed for cannabinoid 1 and 2 mRNA expression using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and for protein expression using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Functional response of these receptors was tested by studying the effect of selective cannabinoid 1 and 2 agonists on nerve evoked smooth muscle contraction. RESULTS: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed differential expression of cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors in detrusor and urothelium. The expression of cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptor mRNA in urothelium was approximately 2-foldhigher than in detrusor, although this was not significant (p >0.05). Cannabinoid 1 receptor mRNA expression was significantly higher than cannabinoid 2 receptor expression in the 2 tissue subtypes (p