The Distributions of Type IV Collagen Alpha Chains in Basement Membranes of Human Epidermis and Skin Appendages

    January 2007 in “ Archives of Histology and Cytology ”
    Haruko Hasegawa, Ichiro Naito, Kazuyo Nakano, Ryusuke Momota, Keiichiro Nishida, Takehito TAGUCHI, Yoshikazu Sado, Yoshifumi Ninomiya, Aiji Ohtsuka
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    Studysummary This study suggests that the absence of alpha5(IV)/alpha6(IV) chains in certain subepidermal basement membrane spots may relate to interactions with melanocytes in human skin. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    The study analyzed the distribution of type IV collagen alpha chains in the basement membrane of human skin and its appendages using immunofluorescent microscopy. It found that the basement membrane beneath the epidermis and various skin appendages contained [alpha1(IV)](2)alpha2(IV) and [alpha5(IV)](2)alpha6(IV) chains, but not alpha3(IV)alpha4(IV)alpha5(IV). The secretory portion of eccrine sweat glands was rich in [alpha1(IV)](2)alpha2(IV), while the ductal portion had more [alpha5(IV)](2)alpha6(IV). In the subepidermal zone, alpha5(IV)/alpha6(IV) chain negative spots were observed, with about 50% of epidermal melanocytes colocalizing with these spots. The findings suggested a specific relationship between these chain negative spots and melanocytes, indicating sites for certain interactions.
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