Collagen Type IV (CIV22)

Collagen Type IV is the major component of the basal lamina so antibodies to this molecule confirm its presence and reveal the morphological appearance of the structure. Normal tissue stains with this antibody in a fashion consistent with the sites of mesenchymal elements and epithelial basal laminae. Anti-Collagen IV can also be useful in the classification of soft tissue tumors: schwannomas and leiomyomas. Their well-differentiated, malignant counterparts usually immunoreact with this antibody. The vascular nature of neoplasms, hemangiopericytoma, angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma can be revealed by this antibody with greater reliability than non-specific stains (e.g. silver reticulum).