title: Ultrastructural localization of factor XIIIa.
abstract: Thin sections of dermatofibromas, of a basal cell epithelioma, a patch stage lesion of Kaposi's sarcoma, a case of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, and one case of malignant mastocytosis were incubated with antibody to factor XIIIa (FXIIIa). Regardless whether the tissue had been embedded in Lowicryl K4M, Epon, or Araldite, labeling was found in dermal dendrocytes, mast cells, and endothelial cells. In dermal dendrocytes, the reaction product was seen in dilated cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum as well as free within the cytoplasm. In endothelial cells, FXIIIa was localized within Weibel Palade bodies, free within the cytoplasm, and in villous projections into the vasucular lumen. In mast cells, the reaction was found in mast cell granules exclusively. Mast cells, dermal dendrocytes, and endothelial cells have in common that all three express FXIIIa, belong to the microvascular unit, and are increased in number during angiogenesis and in fibrovascular processes. It thus seems that these cells are functionally related.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schaumburg-Lever
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gehring
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaiserling
mesh_terms: D004727:Endothelium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D011503:Transglutaminases