Type I collagen fibril formation by human vascular endothelial cells in culture.

The formation of type I collagen fibrils by vascular human endothelial cells in culture was demonstrated by the indirect immunofluorescence method. The fibrillar structure was formed on the cell surface on the third day after subcultivation and had grown like a knitting ball of 0-3 microns in diameter and 0-200 microns in length on the seventh day. The fibril formation was stimulated by the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor, but completely blocked by the presence of beta-aminopropionitrile. The fibrils were eliminated by the treatment with clostridial collagenase or with 0.5% Triton X-100. The pathophysiological significance of type I collagen fibril formation by vascular endothelial cells in vascular diseases is also discussed.