Immunolocalisation of type VI collagen in the intervertebral disc.

Type VI collagen has been isolated from many connective tissues, including the intervertebral disc. Distribution of this collagen, however, varies considerably within different tissues. In adult mammalian nasal and articular cartilage it is localised preferentially in the matrix immediately surrounding the cell. Intervertebral discs from various species and of various ages were studied and a similar pericellular localisation was found. When antisera to type VI collagen were used staining was seen around the cells of all sections of intervertebral disc, being particularly prominent in the nucleus pulposus. Staining on or around the cells was also seen in the adjacent cartilaginous end plate and bone.