P-selectin and von Willebrand factor in bovine mesenteric lymphatics : An immunofluorescent study

P-selectin (PADGEM, GMP-140, CD62) is an integral membrane protein specific toalpha granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of blood vascular endothelial cells. Thepresence in lymphatic endothelial cells of numerous Weibel-Palade bodies and their positivityto immunocytochemical reaction for von Willebrand factor have previously beencharacterized and described. Because von Willebrand factor and P-selectin codistribute inWeibel-Palade bodies of blood vascular endothelial cells we investigated the presence of bothP-selectin and von Willebrand factor in lymphatic endothelium. Lymphatic vessels expressedpositive reaction to immunocytochemical assay thereby demonstrating the presence of Pselectin in the endothelium. Distribution and intensity of the reaction were similar to thoseobserved in bovine blood vascular endothelium.