title: Non-Triple Helical Form of Type IV Collagen α1 Chain.
abstract: Type IV collagen with a triple-helical structure composed of three α chains is a major component of basement membrane. Previously, we reported that non-triple helical form of type IV collagen α1 chain (NTHα1(IV)) was isolated from human placenta and the culture media of human cells. In the present study, we report on the localization of NTH α1(IV) with a monoclonal antibody #370, exclusively reactive for the nascent chain, in the rabbit tissues. The staining was found on the basement membrane of blood vessels, of endomysium, of nerve, and of kidney but not on epithelial basement membrane. In a rabbit angiogenic model, #370 antibody staining was exclusively observed in neovascular tip region of endothelial cells, where no staining with anti-type IV collagen antibody was seen. Distinct localizations suggest that NTHα1(IV) is produced and stably deposited in endothelial cells and the surroundings under physiological conditions with some physiological roles in relation to the dynamics of vascular system.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo 115-8588, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tokunaka
authors.affiliation: China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Life Science, School of Advanced Engineering, Kogakuin University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0015, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasutada
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo 115-8588, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamato
keywords: Adhesion structures; Biological sciences; Cell biology; Pathology in cell biology