Expression of complement messenger RNAs by human endothelial cells

This study evaluated complement mRNA expression in human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMEC), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and cells of the human derived ECV304 line. Cerebral endothelial cells and HUVEC expressed detectable levels of complement gene mRNAs for the C1q B-ch ain, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4, CS, C7, C8 gamma-subunit and C9. In addition to C6 mRNA, Clq and C9 were not detected in ECV304 cells. These results indica te that endothelial cells may be a source of complement proteins in brain a nd other organs of the body. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.