The distribution of types I, III, IV and V collagens in penetrant lesions of the central nervous system of the rat

Abstract

The presence and distribution of types I, III, IV and V collagens within open lesions in the rat cerebrum have been demonstrated by immunofluorescent techniques. In the adult animal, types I and III collagens can be identified in the cicatrix from eight days onwards. Types IV and V collagens occur in the basement membrane of the glia limitans formed between the neuropile and the cicatrix and in the basement membranes of the blood vessels. In neonatal animals, less than eight days old at operation and allowed to recover for eight days, no type I or III collagens occur in the lesion and no types IV and V are present along the edge of the neuropile, because a glia limitans is not formed. In animals operated on when eight days old, the adult response is found in the cortex only, but when 16 days old the full adult response occurs in all parts of the lesion.