Publications by authors named "Pirkko Huhtala"
Background: Collagens provide structural support and guidance cues within the extracellular matrix of metazoans. Mammalian collagens XIII, XXIII and XXV form a unique subgroup of type II transmembrane proteins, each comprising a short N-terminal cytosolic domain, a transmembrane domain and a largely collagenous ectodomain. We name these collagens as MACITs (Membrane-Associated Collagens with Interrupted Triple-helices), and here investigate their evolution and conserved properties.
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- The Schwann cell basement membrane (BM) is crucial for the proper differentiation of Schwann cells, but the specific function of certain collagens, particularly collagen XV, in nerve development is not well understood.
- The absence of collagen XV in mice results in improperly organized axons in C-fibers and compromised myelination, especially when combined with the lack of laminin α4, which leads to more severe nerve injury and abnormal nerve structure even after a year.
- Observations show that the absence of these components affects sensory nerve function, resulting in slower conduction speeds and changes in myelin structure, highlighting the importance of collagen XV and laminin α4 in the maturation of peripheral nerves and C-fiber formation.
The C-terminal end of collagen XV, restin, has been the focus of several studies, but the functions of full-length collagen XV have remained unknown. We describe here studies on the production, purification, and function of collagen XV and the production of a monoclonal N-terminal antibody to it. Full-length human collagen XV was produced in insect cells using baculoviruses and purified from the cell culture medium.
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