Study on the differential expression of CB1R in rat astrocytes in vivo and in vitro

ObjectiveTo explore the expression characteristics of astrocyte cannabinoid type 1 receptor(CB1R) in rat brain and astrocytes.

MethodsThe hippocampal sections of 3-month-old rats were taken for immunostaining with glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and CB1R.At the same time, the brains of newborn rats were taken for primary and subculture to obtain the high purity astrocytes, and the GFAP and CB1R immunofluorescence double labeled staining in cells were performed.The expression of CB1R in astrocytes of all specimens were observed under laser confocal microscope.

ResultsThe results of hippocampal section staining showed that the CB1R was spot-like and distributed in hippocampal CA1 region, especially in pyramidal cell layer, and the expression of CB1R in GFAP-labeled astrocytes was negative.The positive expression of CB1R in GFAP-positive astrocytes in culture was observed, which was mainly distributed around the nucleus.

ConclusionsThe expression of CB1R in astrocytes of hippocampus tissue and cell culture is different.Compared with the physiological state, the expression of CB1R in astrocytes in cell culture is significantly changed.