Histological and immunohistological identification of collagens in basement membranes of Schwann cells of neurofibromas.

The application of immunohistological techniques that use antibodies highly specific for collagen allows new comparative studies in the distribution and deposition of genetically distinct types of collagens in neurofibromas. The identification of collagen type IV in basement membranes is unique and marks particularly the sheaths or cytoplasma of proliferating Schwann cells. Cells with greater degrees of atypia show increased amounts of intracellular collagen in basement membranes by immunohistologic examination, which provides an additional diagnostic tool in dermatopathology.