Immunohistochemical localization of collagen types I, II, III, and IV in pterygium tissues.

Immunohistochemical localization of collagen types I, II, III, and IV in the pterygium was demonstrated by type-specific antibodies. The stromata of pterygium and normal conjunctival tissues contained collagen types I, II, and III, while the normal corneal stroma showed collagen types I and III but not collagen type II. Collagen type IV was located in the epithelial and capillary endothelial basement membranes of pterygium and normal conjunctival tissues. These results suggest that collagens in pterygial tissues are derived from those in the conjunctival tissues.