Immunolocalization of type VIII collagen in vascular tissue.

Type VIII collagen was first detected in the culture medium of aortic endothelial cells. Subsequently its synthesis by a number of other cell lines was demonstrated. Its presence in vascular tissue is reported here. It is a component of sheep aorta and carotid artery but could not be demonstrated in the jugular vein. It is principally localized in the subendothelial region but this can only be demonstrated after pretreatment of the tissue with proteases. Thus type VIII collagen is a constituent of blood vessels.