Abstract
Type IV collagen is a major component of the basement membrane (BM), which consists of six genetically distinct α(IV) chains. In this study the expression of these six α(IV) chains was demonstrated immunohistochemically. In addition, the α2(IV) and α5(IV) chains were analysed quantitatively by confocal laser scanning microscopy in human urogenital epithelial BM. The α1/α2(IV) and α5/α6(IV) chains were immunoreactive in the epithelial BM, whereas, α3/α4(IV) chains were not. The quantitative analysis revealed that the amount of α2(IV) and α5(IV) chains differed in each urogenital epithelial BM. The content of α5(IV) chains in the epithelial BM of the bladder was differentially high, and that of the foreskin was differentially low. It is concluded that the elasticity of epithelial BM of the bladder may be structurally related to the high content of α5/α6(IV) chains.
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Kiyofuji, Ma., Iyama, Ki., Kitaoka, M. et al. Quantitative Analysis of Type IV Collagen α Chains in the Basement Membrane of Human Urogenital Epithelium. Histochem J 34, 479–486 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024753705556
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024753705556