O Agu1, G Hamilton, D M Baker, M R Dashwood. 1. Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: varicose veins are tortuous and poorly contractile. Their aetiology remains unclear. Neovascularisation has been suggested as a possible explanation. Endothelins are mitogenic, promoting proliferation and migration of endothelial cells via endothelin-B receptors. We hypothesise that endothelial cells and endothelin receptor density and distribution may play a role in the development of varicosis. METHODS: saphenous vein segments from nine patients with varicose veins were compared to six controls. Slide-mounted sections were incubated in radioactive labelled endothelin-1 and receptor subtype-selective ligands and binding sites assessed using autoradiography. Endothelin-1 and endothelial cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and CD31-positive staining cells counted. RESULTS: radioactive labelled endothelin-1 and endothelin-B receptor binding was reduced in varicose compared to control veins (p=0.04). Endothelin-A receptor binding was diffuse, with no difference in density in both groups (p=0.58). Endothelin-B receptor binding was diffuse with superimposed clusters. Although the density of medial endothelin-B receptor binding was reduced in the varicose group, more clusters were identified in this group compared to controls (p=0.005). CD-31 staining identified these clusters as endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: the reduced endothelin-1 binding and endothelin-B receptor density may be partially responsible for the reduced vasocontractility in varicose veins. We speculate that the increase in endothelin-B receptor binding CD31-positive endothelial cells in varicose veins may potentially stimulate mitogenesis and migration, leading to new vessel formation. Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Limited.
INTRODUCTION: varicose veins are tortuous and poorly contractile. Their aetiology remains unclear. Neovascularisation has been suggested as a possible explanation. Endothelins are mitogenic, promoting proliferation and migration of endothelial cells via endothelin-B receptors. We hypothesise that endothelial cells and endothelin receptor density and distribution may play a role in the development of varicosis. METHODS: saphenous vein segments from nine patients with varicose veins were compared to six controls. Slide-mounted sections were incubated in radioactive labelled endothelin-1 and receptor subtype-selective ligands and binding sites assessed using autoradiography. Endothelin-1 and endothelial cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and CD31-positive staining cells counted. RESULTS: radioactive labelled endothelin-1 and endothelin-B receptor binding was reduced in varicose compared to control veins (p=0.04). Endothelin-A receptor binding was diffuse, with no difference in density in both groups (p=0.58). Endothelin-B receptor binding was diffuse with superimposed clusters. Although the density of medial endothelin-B receptor binding was reduced in the varicose group, more clusters were identified in this group compared to controls (p=0.005). CD-31 staining identified these clusters as endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: the reduced endothelin-1 binding and endothelin-B receptor density may be partially responsible for the reduced vasocontractility in varicose veins. We speculate that the increase in endothelin-B receptor binding CD31-positive endothelial cells in varicose veins may potentially stimulate mitogenesis and migration, leading to new vessel formation. Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Limited.