Abstract
Objective—To evaluate expression of the α6 chain of type IV collagen in the glomerular basement membranes (GBM) of healthy dogs.
Sample Population—Kidney specimens from 12 healthy dogs. For comparison, kidney specimens from 8 human subjects between 25 and 83 years old also were evaluated.
Procedure—Sections were immunolabeled with a monospecific antibody that cross-reacts with human and canine α6(IV) chains and examined by means of fluorescence microscopy.
Results—Immunolabeling of the α6(IV) chain was not observed in GBM of 6 dogs ≤ 30 months old but was observed in GBM of the remaining 6 dogs, all of which were ≥ 45 months old. Expression of the α6(IV) chain was not observed in GBM of the human subjects, regardless of the age of the subject.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicate that the α6(IV) chain is expressed in GBM of healthy dogs, but the expression is age-dependent. Composition and structural organization of type IV collagen in the GBM of healthy adult dogs is different from that described for other species. (Am J Vet Res 2000;61:38–41)
