Protein kinase C subtypes in endothelial cells.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) has been linked to the regulation of class II expression on endothelial cells by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). PKC subtypes in endothelial cells were analyzed using three different approaches, the immunoperoxidase staining of native and IFN-gamma stimulated cells cultured on chamber slides as well as immuno- and Northern blotting. All approaches revealed that of the conventional subtypes, alpha is the predominant form of PKC in endothelial cells. Even though IFN-gamma is able to induce PKC translocation to particulate fractions, no translocation was detected in histological stainings. Western blot studies as well as mRNA studies revealed that IFN-gamma is unable to increase the total amount of PKC in endothelial cells.