title: Existence of renin in the endothelium of human artery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The existence and localization of renin in situ was examined in human arteries under non-pathological conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biochemical and immunohistochemical procedures were adopted to examine the existence of renin in human gastroepiploic arteries using an antibody raised against human recombinant renin or a specific renin inhibitor.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) Renin activity (angiotensin I generating activity sensitive to antihuman recombinant renin antibody or a specific renin inhibitor) in the homogenate of human gastroepiploic arteries with and without endothelium was compared; (2) vascular renin was immunohistochemically stained using a modified avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) Renin activity in human gastroepiploic arteries with endothelium was significantly higher than in those without endothelium; (2) immunoreactive staining selectively occurred in the endothelial cells of human gastroepiploic arteries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Renin is present in endothelial cells of human arteries under non-pathological conditions. Endothelial renin may play a role in the control of vascular tone through local production of angiotensin II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu,Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aimi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000737:chemistry; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000098:blood supply; D051381:Rats; D012083:Renin / Q000032:analysis*; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D012083:Renin