Park B, Gibbons H M, Mitchell M D, Glassa M
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
Placenta. 2003 May;24(5):473-8. doi: 10.1053/plac.2002.0926.
Synthetic cannabinoids, the psychoactive components of the Cannabis sativa (marijuana) and their endogenous counterparts, act through two G protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2. The endocannabinoids are metabolized by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Previous research has described the impact of cannabis consumption on pregnancy, potential roles of endocannabinoids and abnormalities of FAAH expression in recurrent miscarriage and pregnancy. However, the cellular localization of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and FAAH in the human placenta has not been determined. We have examined CB1 receptor and FAAH expression in human term placenta by immunohistochemistry. CB1 receptor was found to be present in all layers of the membrane, with particularly strong expression in the amniotic epithelium and reticular cells and cells of the maternal decidua layer. Moderate expression was observed in the chorionic cytotrophoblasts. The expression of FAAH was the highest in amniotic epithelial cells, chorionic cytotrophoblast and maternal decidua layer. Our results suggest that the human placenta is a likely target for cannabinoid action and metabolism. This is consistent with a placental site of action of endocannabinoids and cannabis being responsible, at least in part, for the poor outcomes associated with cannabis consumption and pathology in the endocannabinoid system during pregnancy.
合成大麻素是大麻（ marijuana ）的精神活性成分及其内源性类似物，它们通过两种 G 蛋白偶联受体 CB1 和 CB2 发挥作用。内源性大麻素由脂肪酸酰胺水解酶（FAAH）代谢。先前的研究描述了大麻消费对妊娠的影响、内源性大麻素的潜在作用以及复发性流产和妊娠中 FAAH 表达异常。然而，CB1 大麻素受体和 FAAH 在人胎盘细胞中的定位尚未确定。我们通过免疫组织化学检查了足月人胎盘中 CB1 受体和 FAAH 的表达。发现 CB1 受体存在于膜的所有层中，在羊膜上皮、网状细胞和母体蜕膜层细胞中表达特别强烈。在绒毛细胞滋养层中观察到中度表达。FAAH 的表达在羊膜上皮细胞、绒毛细胞滋养层和母体蜕膜层中最高。我们的结果表明，人胎盘可能是大麻素作用和代谢的靶点。这与内源性大麻素和大麻在胎盘部位的作用一致，至少部分地导致了与大麻消费相关的不良结局以及妊娠期间内源性大麻素系统的病理变化。
