Type V collagen in experimental granulation tissue

To evaluate the spatial and temporal expression of type V collagen in a wou nd healing model, subcutaneously implanted viscose cellulose sponges in rat s were used to induce granulation tissue formation. Analyses on granulation tissue mere carried out on days 3, 5, 8, 14, 21, 30, 59 and 84, Acid solub le collagens were extracted and the relative amount of type V collagen was quantified by SDS-PAGE. Specific antibodies to type I, III and V collagens were used in immunohistochemistry and specific RNA probes to pro alpha 1(I) , pro alpha 1(III) and pro alpha 1(V) collagen in in situ hybridization. Ty pe V collagen content increased relative to type I and III collagens up to day 8 and remained at the same level for up to the three months, Type V col lagen was expressed strongly in blood vessel malls as seen in immunohistoch emistry. III situ hybridization showed that all of the three types of colla gen were expressed mostly in fibroblast-like cells and also in rounded cell s, especially type V collagen, In conclusion, type V collagen was seen in t he wound healing model in increasing amounts from day 3 onwards, its locali zation being highly; associated with blood vessels in granulation tissue an d it was synthesized by fibroblast-like and rounded cells.