Identification of VR-1 vanilloid receptor in cell cultures

Much evidence supports a role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating pain and inflammation. Nowadays a great deal of attention is being paid to the interaction between the endocannabinoid and the endovanilloid system. MCF-7 cells are a breast cancer cell line known to express functional cannabinoid receptors. The aim of the present study was to assess a specific binding method for the identification of the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) in these cells. We demonstrated, for the first time, that MCF-7 cells express VR1 on their plasma membrane. The results disclose the way to the potential identification of this receptor on other epithelial animal cells, thereby opening up new perspectives for the control of pain and tissue inflammation.