Expression and significance of cannabinoid receptor 2 in malignant melanoma

VernacularTitle:大麻素2型受体在皮肤恶性黑素瘤中的表达
Author: Zigang ZHAO ; Jie YANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Lin LI ; Hua ZHAO ; Hengjin LI
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Melanoma; Receptors,cannabinoid
From: Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2009;42(8):572-574
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) in pigmented nevus and malignant melanoma and its significance. Methods The protein and mRNA expressions of CB2 were measured in tissue samples of 20 patients with pigmented nevus and 20 patients with malignant melanoma using immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR, respectively. Results CB2 was expressed in both pigmented nevus and malignant melanoma. In tissue of pigmented nevus, CB2 was chiefly expressed in nevocytes and basal cell layer, and only a small quantity of CB2 was expressed in subcutaneous tissue. Statis-tical differences were observed between samples of malignant melanoma and pigmented nevus in the expres-sion intensity of CB2 (P < 0.05). Conclusions Increased protein and mRNA expressions of CB2 are observed in tissue of malignant melanoma, and the expression intensity of CB2 is higher in tissue of malig-nant melanoma than in that of pigmented nevus.