ENDOTHELIUM LOCALIZATION OF ET(B)-RECEPTOR REVEALED BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

The ET(B) receptor has been found to be predominantly expressed in the vascular endothelium of various bovine tissues by immunostaining with a highly specific antiserum that does not cross-react with ET(A). The tissues examined include the lung, trachea, kidney, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and cerebellum. The widespread localization of ET(B) in the endothelial lining suggests that there is an ET(B)-mediated autocrine system of endothelin, which plays an important role in regulation of the functions of endothelial cells.