Effect of vasoactive amines on Weibel-Palade bodies in capillary endothelial cells

The presence and distribution of Weibel-Palade bodies in stomach and colonic mucosal microvessels after the administration of vasoactive amines (serotonin and histamine), the serotonin depletor reserpine, and the von Willebrand factor secretagogue thrombin, was studied by transmission electron microscopy. These agents elevated the number of Weibel-Palade bodies in all microvascular endothelial cells and especially in capillaries. It is concluded that vasoactive amines enhance the synthesis and secretion of large von Willebrand protein multimers by endothelial cells.