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Cannabinoid CB 2 receptors are expressed by perivascular microglial cells in the human brain: An immunohistochemical study
Author(s) -
Núñez Estefanía,
Benito Cristina,
Pazos M. Ruth,
Barbachano Antonio,
Fajardo Otto,
González Sara,
Tolón Rosa M.,
Romero Julián
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/syn.20050
Subject(s) - receptor , cannabinoid receptor , cerebellum , human brain , immune receptor , immunohistochemistry , biology , cannabinoid , immune system , neuroscience , immunology , biochemistry , antagonist
Two types of cannabinoid receptors have been characterized so far, CB 1 and CB 2 . While CB 1 receptors are present both in the CNS and in the periphery, CB 2 receptors showed an almost exclusive distribution within the immune system. We now report that CB 2 receptors are present in a specific microglial cell type of the human cerebellum. Thus, we have performed immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections of white matter areas of the human cerebellum and detected the presence of CB 2 receptors in perivascular microglial cells. These findings match with the well‐known immunomodulatory role of CB 2 receptors and open new perspectives on the possible role that these receptors may play in pathophysiological events. Synapse 53:208–213, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.