Mummies from Peru. Demonstration of antigenic determinants of collagen in the skin.

This paper describes immunofluorescence studies on the possible preservation of antigenic determinants of different types of collagen in sections of the skin of human mummies from Peru. The age of the mummies was dated from the 4th to the 14th century AD. Using specific antibodies, it was possible to demonstrate type I and type III collagen. The antigenic determinants specific for procollagen type I, procollagen type III and the type IV collagen component of basement membranes were not preserved.