Immunogold labeling of endothelial junction for CD146 and VE-cadherin.

(A) Immunogold labeling of endothelial junction for VE-cadherin, a specific marker of AJs. Gold particles appear at the electron-dense zone of the interendothelial junction, which is thus identified as an AJ (arrowheads; magnification × 71 000). (B) Double immunolabeling for CD146 (5 nm gold) and VE-cadherin (10 nm gold). CD146 is detected apart from the AJ (arrows) and identified as such by the presence of VE-cadherin (magnification × 71 000).