EXPRESSION OF THE CB1 CANNABINOID RECEPTOR IN MACROPHAGE-LIKE CELLS FROM BRAIN-TISSUE - IMMUNOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION BY FUSION PROTEIN ANTIBODIES

Antibodies designed to recognize a 74 amino acid sequence of the N- or C-terminal domain of the rat CBI cannabinoid receptor detected a 58 k Da protein in immunoblots of brain and various cells known to express the CB1 cannabinoid receptor. A human B-lymphoblastoid cell line and m acrophage-like cells from neonatal rat brain were also positive for CB 1 receptor-like immunoreactivity. Immunocytochemical analysis performe d with isolated Fab fragments showed surface staining in NG108-15 cell s and brain macrophage like cells which also express MHC class II anti gens. The data suggest a plausible role for CB1 receptors in the immun e function of brain. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.