ULEX-EUROPAEUS I LECTIN AS A MARKER FOR VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM IN HUMAN-TISSUES

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (1) , 60-66
Abstract
U. europaeus I agglutinin, a lectin specific for some .alpha.-L-fucose-containing glycocompounds, was used in fluorescence microscopy to stain cryostat sections of human tissues. The endothelium of vessels of all sizes was stained unbiquitously in all tissues studied as judged by double staining with a known endothelial marker, antibodies against human clotting factor VIII. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but not fibroblasts, also bound Ulex lectin. The staining was not affected by the blood group type of the tissue donor. In some tissues Ulex lectin presented additional binding to epithelial structures, this was independent of the blood group or the ability of the tissue donor to secrete soluble blood group substances. Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin, another lectin specific for some .alpha.-L-fucose-containing moieties, failed to react with endothelial cells. U. europaeus I agglutinin is a good histologic marker for endothelium in human tissues.