Immuno-localization of type-IV collagen in the blood-gas barrier and the epithelial-epithelial cell connections of the avian lung

S. A. Jimoh, J. N. Maina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The terminal respiratory units of the gas exchange tissue of the avian lung, the air capillaries (ACs) and the blood capillaries (BCs), are small and rigid: the basis of this mechanical feature has been highly contentious. Because the strength of the blood-gas barrier (BGB) of the mammalian lung has been attributed to the presence of type-IV collagen (T-IVc), localization of T-IVc in the basement membranes (BM) of the BGB and the epithelial-epithelial cell connections (E-ECCs) of the exchange tissue of the lung of the avian (chicken) lung was performed in order to determine whether it may likewise contribute to the strength of the BGB. T-IVc was localized in both the BMand the E-ECCs. As part of an integrated fibroskeletal scaffold on the lung, T-IVc may directly contribute to the strengths of the ACs and the BCs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20120951
JournalBiology Letters
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Feb 2013

Keywords

  • Air capillaries
  • Avian lung
  • Basement membrane
  • Blood capillaries
  • Immuno-electron microscopy
  • Type-IV collagen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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