Immunohistochemical localization of type II collagen in cartilage-forming tumors.

The presence and distribution of type II collagen was studied in 36 cartilage and cartilage-related tumors, including five osteosarcomas and one chordoma. A monoclonal antibody prepared from chicken type II collagen was used with paraffin sections, employing the ABC (avidin biotinylated horseradish peroxidase complex) peroxidase technique. Fetal cartilage and fracture callus were used as control materials. Type II collagen was present in the matrix of all the cartilage tumors. The reaction was strongest in areas of well-differentiated cartilage and weakest in the poorly differentiated tissue of high-grade chondrosarcomas. Areas of mineralization or ossification, and areas of eosinophilic, fibrous, or degenerated cartilage gave a negative reaction.