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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Cellular Distribution and Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors Type 1 and 2 in the Urinary Bladder of Cats (Felis catus)

  • Rodrigo Zamith Cunha1,2
  • Augusta Zannoni1
  • Giulia Biondolillo1
  • Chiara Bernardini1
  • Lia Nasi3
  • Chiara Di Placido4
  • Roberto Chiocchetti1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
  2. 2Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
  3. 3Independent Researcher, São Paulo 01307-000, Brazil
  4. 4RI.MOS Medical Products, 41037 Mirandola, Italy
Open at sourceDOICite

Abstract

This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the gene and protein expression of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2), and to describe their cellular distribution in the urinary bladder of cats. Samples were collected post-mortem from 11 cats with no history of lower urinary tract disease and were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Mean fluorescence intensity was analyzed in the urothelium and detrusor muscle using a paired t-test (p < 0.05). CNR2 transcripts were detected in both compartments, whereas CNR1 transcripts were not detectable. Western blot detected both CB1 and CB2 bands. CB1R immunoreactivity (CB1R-IR) was sparse within the urothelium, with occasional umbrella and basal cells, and was detected in endothelial cells, intramural neurons, nerve fibers, and detrusor smooth muscle cells. CB1R-IR was significantly higher in the detrusor muscle (p = 0.0006). CB2R-IR showed marked staining in umbrella cells and faint staining in basal cells; it was also observed in bundles of nerve fibers, intramural neurons, detrusor smooth muscle cells, and vascular structures. CB2R-IR was significantly higher in the urothelium (p < 0.0001). These findings provide a molecular basis for studies investigating the endocannabinoid system as a potential therapeutic target in feline lower urinary tract disorders.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{cunha2026cellular,
  title = {{Cellular Distribution and Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors Type 1 and 2 in the Urinary Bladder of Cats (Felis catus)}},
  author = {Rodrigo Zamith Cunha and Augusta Zannoni and Giulia Biondolillo and Chiara Bernardini and Lia Nasi and Chiara Di Placido and Roberto Chiocchetti},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.3390/ijms27219910},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/9910},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Cellular Distribution and Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors Type 1 and 2 in the Urinary Bladder of Cats (Felis catus)
AU  - Rodrigo Zamith Cunha
AU  - Augusta Zannoni
AU  - Giulia Biondolillo
AU  - Chiara Bernardini
AU  - Lia Nasi
AU  - Chiara Di Placido
AU  - Roberto Chiocchetti
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/05
JO  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/ijms27219910
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/9910
AB  - This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the gene and protein expression of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2), and to describe their cellular distribution in the urinary bladder of cats. Samples were collected post-mortem from 11 cats with no history of lower urinary tract disease and were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Mean fluorescence intensity was analyzed in the urothelium and detrusor muscle using a paired t-test (p < 0.05). CNR2 transcripts were detected in both compartments, whereas CNR1 transcripts were not detectable. Western blot detected both CB1 and CB2 bands. CB1R immunoreactivity (CB1R-IR) was sparse within the urothelium, with occasional umbrella and basal cells, and was detected in endothelial cells, intramural neurons, nerve fibers, and detrusor smooth muscle cells. CB1R-IR was significantly higher in the detrusor muscle (p = 0.0006). CB2R-IR showed marked staining in umbrella cells and faint staining in basal cells; it was also observed in bundles of nerve fibers, intramural neurons, detrusor smooth muscle cells, and vascular structures. CB2R-IR was significantly higher in the urothelium (p < 0.0001). These findings provide a molecular basis for studies investigating the endocannabinoid system as a potential therapeutic target in feline lower urinary tract disorders.
SN  - 1422-0067
ER  -