Immunofluorescence localization of type-M collagen in articular cartilage.
Normal mammalian articular cartilage has been found to contain several collagenous peptide chains in addition to type-II collagen. We now report the distribution in adult pig cartilage of one of these new peptides, type-M collagen, using type-specific antibodies. Type M is primarily located in the pericellular environment of the cells in the deeper zones of the articular cartilage. The distribution is shown to be distinct from that of type-II collagen. This finding suggests that type-M collagen may play an important role in the metabolism of articular cartilage.
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D013552:Swine
D003094:Collagen