Close similarity between cultured human omental mesothelial cells and endothelial cells in cytochemical markers and plasminogen activator production.
The mesothelial cells obtained from human omental adipose tissue showed a typical cobblestone monolayer and reacted strongly with keratin, but did not have Von Willebrand factor. Ultrastructurally these cells revealed the existence of desmosome-like cell junctions as well as intracellular canaliculi, tubular structures surrounded by microvilli, and tonofilament-like filaments. The mesothelial cells grew much faster in the medium containing epidermal growth factor, actively took up acetylated-low density lipoprotein into their cytoplasm, and released angiotensin-converting enzyme. They also released urokinase-type plasminogen activator, but only half as much as do human umbilical vein endothelial cells; release of tissue-type plasminogen activator was not observed. Inasmuch as the mesothelial cells also released plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, as do human umbilical vein endothelial cells, we could not detect u-PA activity in culture medium. u-Pa may play a role in the protection against adhesion among visceral organs. These observations indicate that cultured human mesothelial cells have characteristics closely related to those found in human endothelial cells.
Takahashi
K
K
Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Hata
J
J
Mukai
K
K
Sawasaki
Y
Y
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009852:Omentum; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D007633:Keratins; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D010960:Plasminogen Activators