Cannabinoid receptor 2 is upregulated in melanoma.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of CB 2 in normal skin, pigmented nevus, and malignant melanoma; analyze its relation with genesis; and development of malignant melanoma.

METHODS

In our study, we detected the expression of CB 2 in 20 cases of melanoma, nevus tissue, and normal skin tissues, respectively, by using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR. Moreover, we investigated the localization and expression of CB 2 in human melanoma cell line A375 and human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT by using immunofluorescence and western blotting.

RESULTS

Our data revealed that CB 2 is unregulated in melanoma.

CONCLUSIONS

CB 2 plays a role in the development of melanoma.