Decay-accelerating factor is present on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) has been previously described only in cells of bone marrow origin where it serves as a negative modulator of complement activation. Using mAb against human DAF, we demonstrated the presence of DAF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. By means of an immunoradiometric assay we detected an average of 3.3 X 10(5) molecules of DAF on each cell. When immunoisolates were analyzed in Western blots, endothelial cell DAF comigrated with DAF purified from normal erythrocytes. DAF was synthesized by the endothelial cells since 35S-labeled DAF could be immunoisolated from HUVEC cultured in medium containing [35S]methionine. This is the first evidence for the presence of DAF in cells of extra-marrow origin. DAF may protect endothelial cells from complement-mediated injury.

Modulation of CD4 antigen on macrophages and microglia in rat brain.

Mononuclear phagocytes which express the HIV entry receptor CD4 have been implicated as possible sites of virus replication in brain, but there is still considerable uncertainty as to which cells in the CNS express CD4 Ag. Although it is not susceptible to HIV infection the rat provides a model to define expression of the CD4 Ag on MO in brain. We report that the CD4 epitopes W3/25 and OX35 are found only on monocytes, MO, microglia, and occasional lymphocytes and not on neurons, other glia, or endothelium. CD4 Ag levels are modulated during microglial differentiation, after reactivation after local inflammation, and within the intact blood brain barrier. MO and microglia also express other potential plasma membrane binding and entry sites for HIV viz Fc and complement receptors that are regulated independently of CD4.

Podoendin. A new cell surface protein of the podocyte and endothelium.

A new cell surface protein, podoendin, has been identified in Sprague-Dawley rats, and isolated using monoclonal antibody (mAb) G4. The distribution of podoendin is restricted to the surface of glomerular podocytes, urinary surface of the parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsule, and the luminal surface of endothelial cells. The antibody does not crossreact with podocytes or endothelia of human or mice. In newborn rats, the appearance of podoendin on glomerular epithelium is attendant on podocyte differentiation during glomerulogenesis of metanephrogenic vesicles. It disappears when podocytes retract and efface foot processes in tissue culture. Thus, podoendin appears to be a cell differentiation-dependent surface protein of podocytes. Podoendin is a protein of 62 kD mobility on 5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It stains intensely with Coomassie blue, but gives negative reactions to carbohydrate (periodic acid/Schiff reaction) and polyanions (alcian blue, colloidal iron, and carbocyanine). It is distinct from the major sialoglycoprotein of podocyte fuzzy coat, podocalyxin (11). Podoendin isolated and purified from endothelium of lungs appears to be identical with that from podocytes and endothelium of kidneys. Injection of mAb G4 into left ventricle of rats resulted in intense decoration of the endothelium and podocyte surface within 30 min. The decoration persisted throughout the 3-d period of observation. This was not accompanied by complement (C3) fixation. Preliminary results showed that the rats developed moderate proteinuria (100 mg/ml protein in urine), which was associated with the presence of hyaline droplets in renal tubules, on the third day. The proteinuria was not accompanied by effacement of podocyte pedicels. There were no morphologic alterations indicating glomerular or vascular injury in the kidneys.

Downregulation of tumor necrosis factor receptors on macrophages and endothelial cells by microtubule depolymerizing agents.

Exposure of murine and human macrophages and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to micromolar concentrations of five microtubule (MT)-depolymerizing agents (colchicine, nocodazole, podophyllotoxin, vincristine, and vinblastine) resulted in a loss of binding sites for iodinated TNF-alpha. The reduction amounted to 40-60% by 1 h and approximately 75% by 2-4 h. In 1 h, specific binding was reduced 50% by 0.1-5 microM of these drugs at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C. Inactive isomers of colchicine were ineffective, as were microfilament-destabilizing cytochalasins. The active agents did not compete with TNF-alpha R for binding. Antiserum against TNF-alpha did not neutralize the effect of colchicine and nocodazole. PGE1 and dibutyryl-cAMP could not mimic, and cyclooxygenase inhibitors could not prevent the drug effects. All the binding sites were regenerated within 3 h after removal of nocodazole, which binds tubulin reversibly, whereas little recovery was found even 18 h after the removal of colchicine, which binds tubulin irreversibly. These findings suggested that MT disassembly was responsible for the observed downregulation of TNF-alpha R. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide inhibited binding of TNF-alpha to a similar extent and with a similar time course as colchicine in the absence of added ligand. Neither drug affected binding of IFN-gamma to macrophages, nor binding of TNF-alpha to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Thus, an intact MT network appears to be important in maintenance of the steady state of TNF-alpha R on those cells in which TNF-alpha R turns over rapidly in the absence of ligand. The antiinflammatory actions of MT-depolymerizing agents may result in part from their interference with the ability of such cells to respond to TNF-alpha.

Fibronectin localization in the rat glomerulus.

Fibronectin (FN) has been localized in the rat glomerulus using indirect immunolabeling. It was demonstrated in frozen sections by immunofluorescence, in sections of fixed kidneys by both peroxidase and ferritin-labeled antibodies, and in isolated glomerular basement membranes (GBM) with ferritin-labeled antibodies. Complementary and convergent results were obtained with these approaches. FN was most abundant in the mesangial matrix where it was especially concentrated at the interface between the endothelial and mesangial cells. In the peripheral capillary loop, FN was also detected in the laminae rarae (interna and externa) of the GBM--i.e., between the endothelial and epithelial cells, respectively, and the GBM. These findings indicate that FN is an important constituent of the glomerulus, and they are compatible with the assumption that, in the glomerulus, as in cultured cells, FN is involved in cell-to-cell (mesangial-mesangial, mesangial-endothelial) and cell-to-substrate (mesangial cell-mesangial matrix, epithelium-GBM, endothelium-GBM) attachment.

Differentiated microdomains on the luminal surface of the capillary endothelium. II. Partial characterization of their anionic sites.

To investigate the chemical nature of the cationic ferritin (CF)-binding sites of the differentiated microdomains of the capillary endothelium, the vasculature of the mouse pancreas and intestinal mucosa was perfused in situ with neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, heparinase, and three proteases: trypsin, papain, and pronase. Proteases of broad specificity removed all anionic sites, suggesting that the latter are contributed by acid glycoproteins or proteoglycans. Neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, and chondroitinase ABC reduced the density of CF-binding sites on the plasmalemma proper, but had no effect on either coated pits or fenestral diaphragms. Heparinase removed CF-binding sites from fenestral diaphragms and had no effect on coated pits. Taken together, these results indicate that the anionic sites of the fenestral diaphragms are contributed primarily by heparan sulfate and/or heparin, whereas those of the plasmalemma proper are of mixed chemical nature. The membranes and diaphragms of plasmalemmal vesicles and transendothelial channels do not bind CF in control specimens; this condition is not affected by the enzymic treatments mentioned above.

Domain and basement membrane specificity of a monoclonal antibody against chicken type IV collagen.

A monoclonal antibody, IV-IA8, generated against chicken type IV collagen has been characterized and shown to bind specifically to a conformational-dependent site within a major, triple helical domain of the type IV molecule. Immunohistochemical localization of the antigenic determinant with IV-IA8 revealed that the basement membranes of a variety of chick tissues were stained but that the basement membrane of the corneal epithelium showed little, if any, staining. Thus, basement membranes may differ in their content of type IV collagen, or in the way in which it is assembled. The specificity of the antibody was determined by inhibition ELISA using purified collagen types I-V and three purified molecular domains of chick type IV collagen ([F1]2F2, F3, and 7S) as inhibitors. Only unfractionated type IV collagen and the (F1)2F2 domain bound the antibody. Antibody binding was destroyed by thermal denaturation of the collagen, the loss occurring at a temperature similar to that at which previous optical rotatory dispersion studies had shown melting of the triple helical structure of (F1)2F2. Such domain-specific monoclonal antibodies should prove to be useful probes in studies involving immunological dissection of the type IV collagen molecule, its assembly within basement membranes, and changes in its distribution during normal development and in disease.

Characterization of an apically derived epithelial membrane glycoprotein from bovine milk, which is expressed in capillary endothelia in diverse tissues.

A glycoprotein (PAS IV) of apparent Mr 76,000 was purified from bovine milk-fat-globule membrane and partially characterized. PAS IV contained mannose, galactose, and sialic acid as principal sugars (approximately 5.3% total carbohydrate [wt/wt]) and existed in milk in at least four isoelectric variants. The glycoprotein appeared to be an integral membrane protein by several criteria. PAS IV was recovered in the detergent phase of Triton X-114 extracts of milk-fat-globule membrane at room temperature. When bound to membrane, PAS IV was resistant to digestion by a number of proteinases, although after solubilization with non-ionic detergents, the protein was readily degraded. Amino acid analysis of the purified protein revealed a high percentage of amino acids with nonpolar residues. The location of PAS IV was determined in bovine tissues by using immunofluorescence techniques. In mammary tissue, PAS IV was located on both the apical surfaces of secretory epithelial cells and endothelial cells of capillaries. This glycoprotein was also detected in endothelial cells of heart, liver, spleen, pancreas, salivary gland, and small intestine. In addition to mammary epithelial cells, PAS IV was also located in certain other epithelial cells, most notably the bronchiolar epithelial cells of lung. The potential usefulness of this protein as a specific marker of capillary endothelial cells in certain tissues is discussed.

Thrombomodulin is found on endothelium of arteries, veins, capillaries, and lymphatics, and on syncytiotrophoblast of human placenta.

We have used antibodies to human thrombomodulin isolated from placenta to investigate the distribution of this cofactor for protein C activation in human tissues. Thrombomodulin was found on endothelial cells of arteries, veins, capillaries, and lymphatics by immunocytochemical staining using an avidin-biotin peroxidase method. Thrombomodulin was not detected on sinusoidal lining cells of liver or on postcapillary high-endothelial venules of lymph node, although the latter contained another endothelial antigen, von Willebrand factor. Other cells noted to contain thrombomodulin antigen are those of the syncytiotrophoblast in placenta. The thrombomodulin in syncytiotrophoblast was primarily on the plasma membrane surface that forms the maternal blood sinus. Syncytiotrophoblast also stained with antibodies to von Willebrand factor, which implies that these cells have multiple endothelial functions. Thrombomodulin antigen was found in all organs studied, with the notable exception of brain.

Immunolocalization of a novel, cytoskeleton-associated polypeptide of Mr 230,000 daltons (p230).

Antibodies were raised against a cytoskeleton-associated, nonphosphorylated, 230,000-dalton bovine lens polypeptide (designated p230), and rendered monospecific by using a novel immunoaffinity technique. In immunofluorescence and electron microscopy of cultured fibroblasts, as well as of various other cells (endothelial, epithelial, lenticular, monocytes, neuroblastoma cells) and tissues (human kidney and liver), p230 was localized as a distinct subplasmalemmal layer in the peripheral cytoplasm of the cells. It constituted less than 0.3% of the total cellular protein in cultured fibroblasts and was not extractable with Triton X-100. In detergent-extracted cytoskeletal preparations of cultured fibroblasts, p230 remained as an elaborate peripheral network that showed a distribution distinctly different from that of the major cytoskeletal structures, stress fibers, cortical myosin, vinculin, and intermediate filaments (IF). The distribution was not dependent on the presence of intact stress fibers or microtubules, as shown by double-fluorescence microscopy of cells exposed to cytochalasin B or cultured in the presence of monensin and of cold-treated cells. Upon demecolcine-induced reorganization of intermediate filaments, however, the localization of p230 was rapidly altered to a dense plaque underneath the perinuclear aggregate of intermediate filaments. On the other hand, p230 seemed to colocalize with the detergent-resistant cell surface lamina, visualized in fluorescence microscopy with fluorochrome-coupled wheat germ agglutinin-lectin. The results suggest that p230 is part of a cell surface- and cytoskeleton-associated subplasmalemmal structure that may play an important role in cell surface-cytoskeleton interaction in various cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Preferential distribution of anionic sites on the basement membrane and the abluminal aspect of the endothelium in fenestrated capillaries.

Cationized ferritin (CF) was injected interstitially to study the distribution of anionic sites on the basement membrane and abluminal aspect of the endothelium in the fenestrated capillaries of the mouse pancreas and intestinal mucosa. Extensive, but uneven removal of the basement membrane was obtained by collagenase perfusion of the vasculature before CF labeling. In the absence of collagenase treatment, CF label was essentially restricted to the lamina rara externa of the basement membrane and occurred in clusters distributed in a relatively ordered planar lattice. After collagenase digestion, labeling of the lamina rara interna and of the abluminal aspect of the endothelium became possible. In the lamina rara interna, the CF label occurred in clusters with a distribution comparable to that found in the lamina rara externa. On the abluminal aspect of the endothelium, the plasmalemma proper was extensively, though variably, labeled. Coated pits were heavily labeled, whereas the membranes and stomatal diaphragms of plasmalemmal vesicles and transendothelial channels remained free of CF decoration. In contradistinction with the heavy labeling of their luminal aspects, the abluminal surface of the fenestral diaphragms were free of any CF decoration. Pronase treatment removed all anionic sites detectable by CF binding. The findings establish the existence of differentiated microdomains on the abluminal aspect of the endothelial plasmalemma and suggest that the capillary wall selects permeant macromolecules according to charge, in addition to size.

Transformation of rat cerebral endothelial cells by Rous sarcoma virus.

Rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells were infected with Schmidt-Ruppin Rous sarcoma virus-strain D (SR-RSV-D), an avian retrovirus. A single focus of transformed cells was isolated and the resultant cell line designated RCE-T1. The specificity for SR-RSV-D transformation was determined by virus rescue assay and demonstration of virus-specific antigens. RCE-T1 cells are virogenic when fused with chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and do not produce infectious virus as demonstrated by the absence of detectable virus in culture fluid from these cells alone. Studies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for avian retrovirus-coded internal proteins show that RSV-transformed endothelial cells contain mainly p27 and react to some extent to p19 and p15 viral antigens. These data demonstrate conclusively that the transformation event was indeed due to SR-RSV-D. In addition, chromosome analysis confirmed these cells to be of rat origin. RSV-transformed endothelial cells express the typical array of transformation-related properties such as anchorage-independent cell growth in soft agar, decreased cell adhesiveness, ability to grow in low serum, and capability of producing tumors in newborn rats. Demonstration of differentiated endothelial characteristics included positive immunofluorescent staining for factor VIII antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme and histochemical localization of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. This cell line should provide a useful model to study not only specialized biochemical and other functional characteristics of cerebrovascular endothelium but also the cellular mechanisms that involve the transition from normal to neoplastic expression.

Histamine receptors of the microvascular endothelium revealed in situ with a histamine-ferritin conjugate: characteristic high-affinity binding sites in venules.

Histamine covalently bound to glutaraldehyde-activated ferritin was prepared as either monomers or as small aggregates of approximately 0.05 to 0.15 micrometer Diam, suitable for electron microscopic detection of histamine cellular binding sites. The histamine-ferritin conjugates (MF) maintain the histamine capability to induce the opening of endothelial junctions in venules. To investigate the distribution of histamine receptors in the vascular endothelium, monomers or aggregates of MF were perfused in situ (mice), and various vascular beds, particularly that of the diaphragm, were fixed and processed for electron microscopy. The conjugate was preferentially bound on restricted areas of luminal endothelial cell plasmalemma especially in regions rich in filaments, and near the junctions between endothelial cells. The density of histamine binding sites was characteristically high in venules; it occurred to a much lesser extent in arterioles, veins, and muscular arteries whereas capillaries and aorta showed the lowest values. A similar distribution was obtained after perfusion of H1 or H2 receptor agonists coupled to ferritin (2-pyridylethylamine-ferritin [PF], or 4-methylhistamine-ferritin [MF], respectively). The binding specificity was assessed through control experiments with either native or activated ferritin or by competition with histamine. The findings suggest that histamine receptors are largely represented in the cell membrane of the vascular endothelium, particularly in venules. Experiments using specific H1 and H2 receptor agonists (PF and MF) and antagonists (mepyramine and cimetidine) indicate that the venular endothelium contains mainly H2 receptors.

Phosphotyrosine-modified proteins are concentrated at the membranes of epithelial and endothelial cells during tissue development in chick embryos.

We have used high affinity polyclonal antibodies specific for phosphotyrosine (PTyr) residues to examine the localization in various chick embryonic tissues in situ of PTyr-modified proteins by immunocytochemical methods. During the period from 9 to 21 d of development, most tissues exhibit elevated levels of PTyr-modified proteins as determined by immunoblotting experiments of tissue extracts with the anti-PTyr antibodies (Maher, P. A., and E. B. Pasquale. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 106:1747-1755). By immunofluorescence labeling of semithin frozen sections, the highest concentrations of PTyr immunolabeling in all of the embryonic tissues examined were localized to the membranes of the epithelial and endothelial cells with other cells showing no detectable labeling. These results were confirmed by immunoelectron microscopic labeling, which showed particularly high concentrations of PTyr-modified proteins close to the membranes at the apical junctions. The corresponding adult tissues showed no labeling. It is proposed that these results reflect the molecular basis for the functional plasticity of epithelial and endothelial cell junctions during embryonic development.

The role of membrane-membrane interactions in the regulation of endothelial cell growth.

A cell surface preparation from confluent endothelial cells can inhibit DNA synthesis of actively growing endothelial cells. The decrease in the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation is concentration dependent and levels off at 47% of the control. The preparation has no affect on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. A similar preparation from smooth muscle cells does not show inhibitory activity with either endothelial or smooth muscle cells. The inhibition of growth can also be demonstrated by a decrease in thymidine index and growth rate. The inhibition is transient and after 48 h, the growth rate is similar to that of the control. In a wound edge assay, both migration and proliferation are inhibited. The inhibitory activity is partially labile to trypsin and abolished by pepsin, heating at 100 degrees C, or reduction. Cell surface iodination and analysis of the proteins removed by urea treatment by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis show at least 11 bands with apparent molecular weights from 250,000 to 18,000. These radiolabeled proteins, as well as the active component of the cell surface preparation, are sedimentable at 100,000 g for 1 h. They are both solubilized in 30 mM octyl glucoside but not by treatment with 0.1 M sodium carbonate, pH 11.5. These results suggest that the activity is due to a cell-surface membrane fraction and may provide a basis for studying the mechanism of density-dependent inhibition of growth in a normal cell of defined origin.

Disorganization of cultured vascular endothelial cell monolayers by fibrinogen fragment D.

Fibrinogen fragment D, which is heterogeneous, has several important biological functions. Human fibrinogen fragments D94 (molecular weight, 94,000), D78 (78,000), and E (52,000) were purified. Fragments D78 and D94 but not purified fibrinogen or fragment E specifically caused disorganization of bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured as monolayers. Within 2 hours of exposure to pathophysiological concentrations of fragment D, the confluent endothelial cells retracted from each other and projected pseudopodia. These disturbed cells subsequently became rounded and detached from the substrate. The actin present in stress fibers in stationary monolayer cells was diffusely redistributed in cells with fragment D-induced alterations in morphology. This effect was not observed in monolayers of kidney epithelial cells. The results demonstrate a specific effect of fibrinogen fragment D on the disorganization of cultured vascular endothelial cell monolayers and suggest that fragment D plays a role in the pathogenesis of syndromes with vascular endothelial damage.

Identification in vitro of an endothelial cell surface cofactor for antithrombin III. Parallel studies with isolated perfused rat hearts and microcarrier cultures of bovine endothelium.

Two in vitro systems were used to identify an antithrombin III cofactor activity on vascular endothelium. Langendorff rat heart preparations or columns packed with endothelium cultured on microcarrier beads were perfused with mixtures of purified thrombin and antithrombin III. With each preparation, accelerated inhibition of thrombin by antithrombin III occurred during passage over endothelium. Platelet factor 4, protamine sulfate and diisopropylphosphoryl thrombin, all antagonists of the antithrombin III cofactor activity of heparin, significantly reduced the capacity of the preparation to inhibit thrombin. It is concluded that a substance with the functional properties of a stationary phase cofactor for antithrombin III is present on the microvascular endothelium and there catalyzes the inactivation of circulating free thrombin.

cDNA cloning of human plasminogen activator-inhibitor from endothelial cells.

Full-length cDNA for plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) was isolated from a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) lambda gt11 cDNA library. Three overlapping clones were identified by immunologic screening of 10(6) recombinant phage using a rabbit anti-human fibrosarcoma PAI-1 antiserum. The fusion proteins encoded by these three clones also react strongly with a monoclonal mouse anti-human fibrosarcoma PAI-1 antibody. By nucleotide sequence analysis, PAI-1 cDNA encodes a protein containing 402 amino acids with a predicted, nonglycosylated molecular mass of 45 kD. Identity of this material as authentic PAI-1 was confirmed by the presence of high level homology with the primary amino acid sequence of an internal peptide prepared from purified rat hepatoma PAI-1. The predicted amino acid sequence also reveals extensive homology with other members of the serine protease inhibitor gene family. Cultured HUVECs contain two PAI-1 mRNA species, both encoded by a single gene, differing by 1 kb in the 3' untranslated region. The PAI-1 gene is located on human chromosome 7.

Regulation of factor Xa in vitro in human and mouse plasma and in vivo in mouse. Role of the endothelium and plasma proteinase inhibitors.

The regulation of human Factor Xa was studied in vitro in human and mouse plasma, and in vivo in mouse. In human plasma, 125I-Factor Xa bound to alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, antithrombin III, and alpha 2-macroglobulin in a ratio of 4.9:1.9:1 as determined by gel electrophoresis and by adsorption to IgG-(antiproteinase inhibitor)-Sepharose beads. The distribution of Factor Xa in mouse plasma was similar. The clearance of Factor Xa in mice was rapid (50% clearance in 3 min) and biphasic. alpha 1-Proteinase inhibitor-trypsin, even at a 2,000-fold molar excess, failed to inhibit the clearance of Factor Xa, while alpha 2-macroglobulin-trypsin inhibited only the later phase of clearance. The plasma clearance of diisopropylphosphoryl-Factor Xa was more rapid than native Factor Xa (50% clearance in 2.5 min), and the clearance was blocked by diisopropylphosphoryl-thrombin. Electrophoresis experiments confirmed that by 2 min after injection into the murine circulation, 90% of the bound Factor Xa was on alpha 2-macroglobulin, in marked contrast to the in vitro results. Organ distribution studies at 3 and 15 min with 125I-Factor Xa demonstrated that the majority of radioactivity was in the liver, with significant radioactivity also present in lung and kidney. Autopsies performed 30 s after injection of 125I-Factor Xa also demonstrated significant binding to the aorta and vena cava. These studies indicate that Factor Xa binds to specific thrombin-binding sites on endothelial cells, and that this binding alters its proteinase inhibitor specificity. Factor Xa binds to alpha 2-macroglobulin in vivo, whereas the predominant in vitro inhibitor of Factor Xa is alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor.

Modulation of a glycoprotein recognition system on rat hepatic endothelial cells by glucose and diabetes mellitus.

The cellular location and carbohydrate specificities of a glycoprotein recognition system on rat hepatic sinusoidal cells have been determined. Purified preparations of endothelial, Kupffer, and parenchymal cells were prepared by collagenase liver perfusion, centrifugation on Percoll gradients, and centrifugal elutriation. (125)I-labeled agalactoorosomucoid, an N-acetylglucosamine-terminated glycoprotein, was selectively taken up in vitro by endothelial cells. Uptake was shown to be protein dependent, calcium ion dependent, and saturable, and could be described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics (apparent K(m) 0.29 muM; apparent maximum velocity 4.8 pmol/h per 5 x 10(6) cells). Uptake was inhibited not only by N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and mannan but also by glucose, fructose, and a glucose-albumin conjugate. Inhibition by glucose was competitive over a wide range of concentrations and was almost 100% at a glucose concentration of 56 mM. Fasting and the induction of diabetes mellitus prior to isolation of cells was associated with 60% reductions in the recovery of endothelial cells. Uptake by cells isolated from fasted rats was enhanced (apparent maximum velocity 14.3 pmol/h per 5 x 10(6) cells without change in the apparent K(m)). These observations suggest that fasting is associated with a marked increase in the mean number of glycoprotein receptors per endothelial cell isolated from normal rats. This effect of fasting could be due to upregulation of glycoprotein receptors on endothelial cells or to the selective isolation of a subpopulation of endothelial cells from fasted animals that bears more glycoprotein receptors per cell than does another subpopulation of these cells. In addition, in vivo studies of the fate of intravenously administered (125)I-agalactoorosomucoid indicated that its rate of disappearance from plasma, hepatic accumulation, and catabolism were slower in diabetic than in normal rats. The results suggest that modulation of a carbohydrate-mediated glycoprotein recognition system located on hepatic endothelial cells can be induced by glucose and glucose-conjugated proteins and by fasting and diabetes mellitus. The findings in this study suggest a mechanism for abnormal glycoprotein metabolism in diabetes mellitus.