Abstract
Background/Aims: The basement membrane type IV collagen is a family composed of at least five genetically distinct but structurally similar polypeptide chains, α1–α5. The α1(IV) and α2(IV) chains are ubiq-uitous components of basement membranes, whereas the α3(IV), α4(IV), and α5(IV) chains have a restricted tissue distribution. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence of these minor type IV collagen chains in the small intestinal mucosa.Methods: The expression of type IV collagen chains in the developing and adult human small intestine was determined by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Western blotting and Northern hybridization analysis were also used to additionally investigate the expression of theα1(IV) and α5(IV) chains. Results: The α3–α5(IV) chains were absent from the adult epithelium, but, surprisingly, the α5(IV) chain was consistently detected in the fetal mucosa. Its expression was confirmed by Western blotting, complementary DNA polymerase chain-reaction amplification, and Northern hybridization analysis. Conclusions: The α5(IV) chain of collagen is expressed in the fetal but not adult human intestinal epithelium. Its position at the basolateral domain of epithelial cells suggests a potential role for this molecule during development.
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