Comparison of Ulex europaeus I lectin and factor VIII-related antigen in vascular lesions.

Factor VIII-related antigen (FVIIIR:Ag) has been widely used as a marker for endothelial cells. Recent studies have shown that Ulex europaeus agglutinin I lectin (UEAI) also binds specific endothelial cells. To determine the relative utility of the two endothelial cell markers, a group of vascular and nonvascular tumors were studied with both markers, using an immunoperoxidase method. Our results indicate that UEAI is a more sensitive marker for endothelial cells than FVIIIR:Ag, and that it should be used as an additional diagnostic marker for endothelial cell-derivated tumors.