The expression of Annexins V and VIII by human lung, liver, kidney, sk
in, heart, uterus, spleen and skeletal muscle was investigated by ELIS
A. All investigated tissues contained Annexin V. Its level varied with
the tissue from around 5 mu g (skin) to approximately 120 mu g (splee
n) per g of wet tissue. Contradistinctionally Annexin VIII expression
was less ubiquitous and less abundant. Only lung, skin, liver and kidn
ey expressed Annexin VIII. Its levels were approximately 100-fold less
then the Annexin V levels. Immunohistochemical analysis of lung secti
ons revealed Annexin VIII presence exclusively in the endothelia. Anne
xin V and VIII levels of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cel
ls, human arterial smooth muscle cells, human lung fibroblasts and HeL
a cells were measured by ELISA. All cell types expressed Annexin V whe
reas only HeLa cells had detectable levels of Annexin VIII. The result
s indicate a tissue specific expression of Annexin VIII by lung endoth
elium, suggesting a highly specialised function.