PubMed · 9438378
Type VIII collagen.
Abstract
Type VIII collagen is a product of endothelial cells, keratinocytes, mast cells, microvascular endothelial cells and some tumour cells. It is also present in a variety of extracellular matrices as diverse as sclera, skin and glomerulus. Type VIII molecules have a proposed chain composition of [alpha 1(VIII)2 alpha 2(VIII)]. While the function of collagen type VIII is uncertain recent work has highlighted the importance of this collagen in the vasculature. Particularly significant may be its up-regulation in smooth muscle cell migration and potential role in maintaining the smooth muscle cell phenotype. It is interesting to speculate that this collagen may provide a substratum for a variety of cells and facilitate movement of endothelial cells in angiogenesis, smooth muscle cells in intimal invasion and myofibroblasts in fibrotic conditions.
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C A Shuttleworth. 1997. Type VIII collagen.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1357-2725(97)00033-2
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