A Novel Control of Human Keratin Expression: Cannabinoid Receptor 1-Mediated Signaling Down-Regulates the Expression of Keratins K6 and K16 in Human Keratinocytes In Vitro and In Situ
February 2013
in “
PeerJ
”
TLDR Activating cannabinoid receptor 1 reduces certain keratin levels, potentially aiding psoriasis treatment.
The study found that cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) signaling, through the agonist ACEA, down-regulated the expression of keratins K6 and K16 in human keratinocytes, both in vitro and in situ, and reduced keratinocyte proliferation. This suggested that CB1 activation could be a potential therapeutic target for managing hyperproliferative skin conditions like psoriasis. The research involved skin samples from 4 individuals and used methods such as immunohistochemistry to assess changes in keratin expression, indicating that CB1 agonists might be explored as treatments for skin conditions with abnormal keratin expression and proliferation.
