Table 5

Detection of cannabinoid receptors in immune cells and tissues

Cell Type/TissueSpeciesReceptor TypeMethod of Detection
B lymphocytesHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-aor confocal microscopy5-b
MacrophagesHuman, mouse, ratCB2 RT-PCR5-a 5-c 5-d
Mast cellsRatCB2 RT-PCR5-e
MicrogliaRatCB1, CB2 Mutational RT-PCR,5-d 5-f Western immunoblot,5-d 5-f or immunocytochemistry5-f 5-g
Natural killer cellsHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-a
Peripheral mononuclear cellsHuman, ratCB2 RT-PCR5-a 5-e
CD4 lymphocytesHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-a
CD8 lymphocytesHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-a
Lymph nodesHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-a
Peyer's patchesRatCB5-150 Radioligand binding5-h or radioligand autoradiography5-h
SpleenHuman, mouse, ratCB1, CB2 Radioligand binding,5-h 5-i radioligand autoradiography,5-h Northern blot,5-j in situ hybridization,5-j or RT-PCR5-a 5-e
TonsilsHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-aor immunocytochemistry5-a
ThymusHumanCB2 RT-PCR5-a

  • ↵5-150  CB1 and/or CB2.

  • ↵5-a  Galiègue et al., 1995.

  • ↵5-b  Carayon et al., 1998.

  • ↵5-c  Lee et al., 2001.

  • ↵5-d  Carlisle et al., 2002.

  • ↵5-e  Facci et al., 1995.

  • ↵5-f  Waksman et al., 1999.

  • ↵5-g  Sinha et al., 1998.

  • ↵5-h  Lynn and Herkenham, 1994.

  • ↵5-i  Kaminski et al., 1992.

  • ↵5-j  Munro et al., 1993.