DDAVP and epinephrine-induced changes in the localization of von Willebrand factor antigen in endothelial cells of human oral mucosa.

A peroxidase-labeled antibody technique revealed von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) in rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), the perinuclear region, and the cytoplasmic vesicles of capillary endothelial cells in oral mucosa. After administration of epinephrine or 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), the localization of vWF:Ag was shown to have changed to the basement membrane and the surrounding interstitium. This change of vWF:Ag localization induced by epinephrine and DDAVP may play a role in the adhesion of platelets to subendothelium following endothelial injury during surgery and may be an unknown hemostatic effect of these drugs.