Characterization and localization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase using specific monoclonal antibodies.

We have produced specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against particulate bovine aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase. In Western blots, native and cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells as well as cultured bovine microvascular endothelial cells possess immunoreactive NO synthase. In dot blots, MAb H210 and H32 detect 1 ng and 100 pg of purified endothelial NO synthase, respectively. Both antibodies are specific to the endothelial NO synthase and do not cross-react with other known isoforms of NO synthase, namely from the brain, from cytokine/endotoxin-induced macrophages, or from cytokine/endotoxin-induced vascular smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the specificity of endothelial NO synthase for endothelial cells in various bovine and human tissues. Many types of endothelial cells, macrovascular, microvascular, arterial, and venous were found to possess this specific isoform of NO synthase. Electron microscopy showed the enzyme to be associated with the plasma membrane, membranes of cytoplasmic vesicles, and in the cytoplasm in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results demonstrate that particulate endothelial NO synthase is present in a site to act rapidly to produce NO for release into the blood or toward the smooth muscle in many vascular beds.