Expression of eNOS and P-eNOS in human vein graft

Objective To detect expression of eNOS and its activity in human vein graft. Method Thirty samples of human vein grafts were used for this study expression of eNOS and its activity by using confocal immunofluorescence with specific antibodies against eNOS and phosphorated eNOS (P-eNOS). The data were processed with silicon graphics octane system. Results In normal veins,eNOS was not expressed in the endothelial cells; In diseased vein grafts,eNOS was significantly induced in the luminal surface of endothelial cells at early stage of intima formation. Positive staining of eNOS was also observed in the adventitia. In the vein grafts with thick intima,eNOS expression in luminal surface of endothelial cells was decreased. In the media eNOS expressed was located in the capillaries. Double immunostaining demonstrated the co-localization of of eNOS with P-eNOS in endothelial cells. Conclusion The pattern of eNOS expression implies its involvement in neointima formation and tunica media angigenesis.