Immunohistochemical localization of type I, III and IV collagen in healthy human gingiva

The distribution of type I, III and IV collagen in the gingival connective matrix was studied by indirect immunofluorescent techniques on biopsies of healthy human attached gingiva. This connective matrix would seem to be made up of an intricate pattern of these 3 collagen types. Type I collagen is the main component of all the layers of the gingival corium while type III collagen is mostly found in the upper layers underlying the gingival epithelium and within the blood vessel walls. Type IV collagen is only associated with basement membranes, particularly of the gingiva, endothelial cells of capillaries, blood vessel walls and nerves.