Colocalization of vasoactive substances in the endothelial cells of human umbilical vessels

Human umbilical vessels are unique in lacking any innervation; thus endothelial cells may play the major role in local control and regulation of the blood flow. In the present study, we examined ultrathin sections of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and tissue preparations of umbilical vein and artery, immunostained by the post-embedding colloidal gold double-labelling technique. We observed colocalization of atrial natriuretic peptide and neuropeptide Y, as well as colocalization of atrial natriuretic peptide and neuropeptide Y with other vasoactive substances, namely, vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and arginine vasopressin. The functional significance of the colocalization of these vasoactive substances in the human umbilical vessel endothelial cells is discussed.