title: Immunohistochemical distribution of collagens types IV, V, and VI and of pro-collagens types I and III in human alveolar bone and dentine.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to characterize the composition of the organic matrix in alveolar jaw bone and dentine using antibodies against pro-collagens Types I and III and collagens Types IV, V, and VI. After demineralization of oral hard tissues in 0.2 N HCl, antigenicity was well preserved and the distribution of the pro-collagens and collagens could be demonstrated. Staining for pro-collagen Type I was prominent around osteoblasts and in pre-dentine, indicating active de novo synthesis of Type I pro-collagen. Pro-collagen Type I was ubiquitous but was less abundant in bone and dentine, whereas pro-collagen Type III was seen only in areas of bone remodeling, in peritubular spaces, and in pre-dentine. Type IV collagen was limited to the basement membranes of vessels in osteons and bone marrow. Type V collagen was detected neither in pre-dentine nor in bone. In contrast, Type VI collagen was found in dentine and bone, showing a faint but homogeneous staining which, similarly to pro-collagen Type III, was pronounced around osteoblasts and in pre-dentine, areas of active bone and dentine formation. This study showed that the organic matrix of dentine and bone contains Type VI as well as Type I collagen. Pro-collagen Type III (and to a lesser extent collagen Type VI) is transiently produced during new formation and remodeling of oral hard tissues, and disappears once the matrix calcifies. Type I pro-collagen qualifies as a general marker protein for increased osteoblastic activity. We conclude that immunostaining for the different collagen/pro-collagen types can be used to assess normal or abnormal stages of bone/dentine formation.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000032:analysis*; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000032:analysis; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D003804:Dentin / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011347:Procollagen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011347:Procollagen; D003094:Collagen