Immunofluorescent localization of type I and III collagens in normal human skin with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

Anti-type I and type III collagen polyclonal antibodies and anti-type III collagen monoclonal antibodies were produced using type I and type III collagen extracted from the human placenta. An indirect immunofluorescence technique using these antibodies showed the same distribution of type III as well as type I collagen in the entire dermis of the normal human skin in nearly identical patterns. Previous immunofluorescent study indicated that type III collagen is present predominantly in the papillary dermis. However, our observation that monoclonal antibody recognizing the helical portion of type III collagen reacted with the entire thickness of the dermis which suggested the presence of type I and III collagen in close proximity in the whole thickness of normal human dermis.