Differential formation of a bioactive antiaggregating substance (BAS) by layers of the vein wall.
Human umbilical veins were analyzed with and without endothelium in order to study the ability of endothelial cells and subendothelium to release a bioactive anti-aggregating substance (BAS: MW > 30 kDa) independent of prostacyclin (PGI ). To evaluate the role of the subendothelium, the endothelial cells were removed by rubbing on filter paper for 1 min. We performed a histopathological study of the vessels using hematoxylin and eosine, and stained for elastic tissue fibers in order to confirm the presence of endothelium. The supernatant from incubated vascular rings was partially purified by Sephadex G-50 to rule out PGI . The void volume fractions were collected and the anti-aggregating activity was tested on platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, ADP, collagen and epinephrine. We observed that the activity was taking place with the use of the intact endothelium while there was no activity in the denuded vein. These observations could help to explain the well known antithrombotic properties of vascular endothelium.