Type VII collagen is a major structural component of anchoring fibrils.

摘要: Anchoring fibrils are specialized fibrous structures found in the subbasal lamina underlying epithelia of several external tissues. Based upon their sensitivity to collagenase and similarity banding pattern artificially created segment-long spacing crystallites (SLS) collagens, authors have suggested that anchoring lateral aggregates collagenous macromolecules. We recently reported length type VII collagen SLS crystallites. now report construction characterization a murine monoclonal antibody specific for collagen. The epitope identified by this has been mapped carboxyl terminus major helical domain molecule. presence as detected indirect immunofluorescence variety tissues corresponds exactly with ultrastructural observations fibrils. Ultrastructural immunolocalization using 5-nm colloidal gold-conjugated second demonstrates metal deposition at both ends these structures, predicted location on Type is synthesized primary cultures amniotic epithelial cells. It also produced KB cells (an epidermoid carcinoma cell line) WISH (a transformed line).