The expression of mu-opiate receptor in human keratinocyte cell lines

Objective: To study the expression of mu-opiate receptor in different human cell lines. Methods: The cells of human epidermal keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), human squamous carcinoma cell line (A431) and neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH) were cultured in a conventional culture-condition. The expression of mu-opiate receptor in cell lines was assessed by RT-PCR method. Results: The expression of mu-opiate receptor mRNA was found in the HaCaT and A431, and the expression level was higher in A431 than that in HaCaT. Conclusion: The expression of mu-opiate receptor mRNA in the keratinocytes indicates that the nervous system may interact with the skin by the neuropeptides.[Key words] keratinocytes; mu-opiate receptor