Collagen XVII is expressed in human CNS neurons.
Type XVII collagen (collagen XVII) is a component of hemidesmosomes, which connect epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane. Previously, an association has been suggested between neurological disorders and the skin disease bullous pemphigoid, where autoimmunity is directed against collagen XVII. Furthermore, the lack of alpha6 integrin, a ligand of collagen XVII, has been implicated in defects of cortical organization in the mouse brain. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of collagen XVII in neurons of the human brain by in situ hybridisation, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We propose that collagen XVII may be involved in the pathogenesis of various disorders affecting neuronal migration or synaptic plasticity.
Seppänen
Allan
A
Department of Neurology, University of Oulu and Clinical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, FIN-90014 Oulu, Finland.
Autio-Harmainen
Helena
H
Alafuzoff
Irina
I
Särkioja
Terttu
T
Veijola
Johanna
J
Hurskainen
Tiina
T
Bruckner-Tuderman
Leena
L
Tasanen
Kaisa
K
Majamaa
Kari
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D024041:Non-Fibrillar Collagens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000097805:Collagen Type XVII
D001324:Autoantigens; D024041:Non-Fibrillar Collagens; D000097805:Collagen Type XVII