[Distribution of type I, III, IV, V collagen and fibronectin in the extracellular matrix of malignant schwannomas (immuno-morphologic study)].

The main feature of the malignant schwannoma matrix studied by means of monospecific polyclonal antibodies and method of indirect immunofluorescence is the presence of focally distributed deposits of type IV collagen. Besides this, collagen of types I, III, V and fibronectin are also found. Qualitatively, the extracellular matrix of both benign and malignant schwannoma is similar. The focal localization of type IV collagen is probably associated with areas of the anaplastic lemmocytes proliferation. It is suggested to use the obtained data for the differential diagnosis of malignant schwannoma and fibrosarcoma.