Marijuana use differentially affects cannabinoid receptor expression in early gestational human endometrium and placenta

Placenta. 2018 Jun:66:36-39. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.05.002. Epub 2018 May 9.

Abstract

Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs among pregnant women leading to maternal and fetal abnormalities. Cannabinoids are the active ingredients of marijuana, which interact with cannabinoid receptors such as CNR1 and CNR2 to activate cellular signaling pathways. Human endometrium and placenta are known to express CNR1 and CNR2 and can respond to cannabinoid signaling. In this study, we show that marijuana use significantly increases mRNA or protein expression of CNR1 and CNR2 in human endometrium from the first and early second trimester pregnancies, with minor effects on placental expression of CNRs.

Keywords: Cannabinoid; Cannabinoid receptor; Marijuana; Placenta; Uterine endometrium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Drinking / genetics
  • Alcohol Drinking / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Endometrium / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Marijuana Use / adverse effects*
  • Marijuana Use / genetics
  • Marijuana Use / metabolism
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / genetics*
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / genetics*
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / genetics
  • Smoking / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CNR1 protein, human
  • CNR2 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2