Developmental change in type VI collagen in human cerebral vessels

Vascular development in the human brain was studied by immunohistochemistry using an anti-type VI collagen antibody. Positive vessels were evident from an early gestational age in the meninges, from 21 weeks gestation in the basal ganglia and deep white matter, and from 38 weeks gestation in the cerebral cortex and superficial white matter; however, type VI collagen never appeared in the subependymal germinal layer. The absent or scarce type VI collagen in the subependymal germinal layer may be one of the important factors of subependymal/intraventricular/periventricular hemorrhage in premature neonates. The earlier appearance of positive vessels in the deep white matter than in the cortex and superficial white matter suggests that the medullary vein develops earlier than the cortical and subcortical veins and arteries. These characteristics of the developing vascular structure may be one cause of perinatal brain damage.