INJURY INDUCES INCREASE OF VONWILLEBRAND-FACTOR IN RAT ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

  • 1 April 1989
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 134  (4) , 857-864
Abstract
This study examined the effects of injury on the content of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in rat aortic endothelium. Endothelial cells from normal, endotoxin-treated, and balloon-injured rats were stained with vWF antibodies and visualized using a biotinylated secondary antibody and avidin-tagged peroxidase. Endotoxin treatment and ballon injury caused a threefold increase in intracellular vWF, and immunoelectron microscopy showed the endoplasmic reticulum to stain heavily by the vWF antibody. Weibel-Palade bodies were not observed no vWF staining; however, after endothelial denudation this matrix was clearly stained by the antibody. These results suggest that endothelial injury leads to an increased intracellulr content of vWF that is localized primarily in the endoplamic reticulum.