Existence of renin in the endothelium of human artery.
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.
Okamura
T
T
Department of Pharmacology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu,Japan.
Aimi
Y
Y
Kimura
H
H
Murakami
K
K
Toda
N
N
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
D012083:Renin