Type VII collagen, a genetically distinct member of the collagen family, is present in the cutaneous basement membrane zone as an integral component of the anchoring fibrils. We have recently isolated several cDNAs that correspond to human type VII collagen sequences. One of these cDNAs (clone K-131) was utilized to examine type VII collagen gene expression in cultures of human cells by Norther...

Mast cell activation is a characteristic feature of chronic inflammation, a condition that may lead to fibrosis as a result of increased collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. We have investigated the potential of tryptase, the major protease of human mast cells, to stimulate collagen synthesis in the human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5. Tryptase was isolated from human lung tissue by ion-exchang...

We have developed a method for sustained growth of human mammary epithelial cells in monolayer cultures. Epithelial organoids derived from solid breast tissues were grown on the surface of thin (approximately 1 mm) collagen gel layers in an enriched growth medium supplemented with hormones, growth factors, fetal calf serum, and horse serum. To transfer the cultures, the collagen layers were dis...

Experimental animal models are frequently used to study articular cartilage, but the relevance to man remains problematic. In this study animal models were compared by examination of the collagen fibre arrangement in the medial tibial plateau of human, cow, pig, dog, sheep, rabbit and rat specimens. 24 cartilage samples from each species were prepared and maximum cartilage thickness in the cent...