VASCULAR LOCALIZATION OF THE 11-BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE TYPE-II ENZYME

1. The enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (11 beta HS D2) confers specificity on the non-specific mineralocorticoid receptor by converting cortisol to cortisone. 2. We have examined the localiza tion of this enzyme in the human skin, myocardium and saphenous vein b y immuno-histochemical techniques. 3. High amounts of 11 beta HSD2 imm unoreactivity were found in smooth muscle cells in the arterioles of t he skin, heart and saphenous vein. Lower amounts of staining were also found in longitudinal and concentric smooth muscle cells lining the l umen of the saphenous vein.