Objective: To investigate the expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) in normal human skin and squamous cell carcinoma and analyze its relation with the tumorigenesis and development of squamous cell carcinoma.
Methods: The expression of CB2 protein and mRNA levels were detected in normal human skin and squamous cell carcinoma using immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR.
Results: Both the normal skin and squamous cell carcinoma expressed CB2, which was localized mainly in the basal cell layer and prickle cell layer in human skin with low expressions in the subcutaneous tissue. The expression intensity of CB2 differed significantly between squamous cell carcinoma and normal human skin (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma over-expresses CB2 at both the protein and mRNA levels. High expression of CB2 in squamous cell carcinoma suggests an important role of CB2 in the tumorigenesis and development of squamous cell carcinoma.