title: Cellular expression of isoforms of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1c, ECE-1b and ECE-1a) and endothelin-converting enzyme-2.
abstract: Our aim was to compare the cellular expression of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) isoforms and ECE-2 using immunocytochemistry in normal and diseased human tissue. Intense ECE-1b immunoreactivity was present within renal and pulmonary epithelial cells with lower levels of staining displayed by ECE-1c, ECE-1a and ECE-2 antisera. Staining was detected with all antisera (except ECE-1a) within the endothelium of renal and pulmonary vessels having a range of lumen diameters as well as pial arteries and intracerebral vessels penetrating brain. ECE-1b, ECE-1c and ECE-2 immunoreactivity was localized to perivascular astrocytes and neuronal processes in the cerebral cortex. In diseased vessels, ECE-1c, ECE-1b and ECE-2 antisera stained macrophages infiltrating atherosclerotic plaques within coronary arteries. These results suggest ECE-1b and ECE-2 may be widely expressed in normal tissue from humans and inhibition of ECE-1 isoforms and ECE-2 expressed by cells such as macrophages in pathophysiological tissue may be an additional therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, UK. apd10@medschl.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kuc
mesh_terms: D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000201:enzymology; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C000606923:ECE1 protein, human; C000606924:ECE2 protein, human; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes