Lectin histochemistry of the endothelium of blood vessels in the mammalian integument, with remarks on the endothelial glycocalyx and blood vessel system nomenclature.
Based on sensitive light and electron microscopical lectin histochemistry, the distribution of saccharide residues is demonstrated in endothelial cells and/or the walls of integumental blood vessels of domesticated and wild mammals. In addition, the nomenclature of the blood vessel system in the skin is reviewed, and modified according to a generalized mammalian approach. Our comparative attempt demonstrated three (upper, mid-dermal, and dermal) plexus or retia in the integument of mammals of important systematic groups. The findings highlight a specific spectrum of terminal sugars in the endothelial cells and their glycocalyx and/or the blood vessel wall as related to the vessel retia and plexus present. The subepidermal blood vessel system, the capillary loops in particular, was marked by alpha-Man/alpha-Glc, alpha-D-GalNAc, beta-D-Gal/beta-D-GalNAc, and NANA-alpha(2,6)-GalNAc; the mid-dermal system by alpha-Man/alpha-Glc, and alpha-D-Gal/alpha-D-GalNAc; and the deep dermal system by alpha-Man/alpha-Glc, alpha-D-GalNAc, alpha-Gal, and beta-D-Gal/beta-D-GalNAc moieties. The results obtained are discussed from a comparative point of view, also with regard to certain basic functions of the endothelial cells and their glycocalyx.