Immunohistochemical localization of plasminogen activators in human saphenous veins

Human saphenous veins were analyzed for presence of plasminogen activators (t-PA) in the endothelium of the vessel walls by immunohistochemical techniques. We used a polyclonal rabbit antihuman t-PA antibody, a monoclonal mouse-antihuman t-PA and a goat antibody to low molecular weight urokinase. To demonstrate presence of antigen we used FITC conjugated anti-IgG or the Biotin-Avidin technique. Both monoclonal and polyclonal anti-t-PA demonstrated positive fluorescence in the endothelial layer. Tests for urokinase were negative. The present study thus demonstrated that t-PA was present in the vascular endothelium. This is in accordance with data from earlier histochemical studies for detection of PA activity.