Collagen type VI is the antigen recognized by the ER‐TR7 antibody

Abstract

Collagen type VI is the antigen recognized by the ER-TR7 antibodySince its first description published in this journal in 1984 [1], the monoclonal antibody ER-TR7 has been used in a great number of immunological and nonimmunological studies. Even so, its antigen is still unknown. The ER-TR7 (Erasmus University Rotterdam-Thymic Reticulum) antibody was originally produced in a screen aimed at identifying monoclonal antibodies reactive against nonlymphoid stromal cells of the mouse thymus [1]. Therefore, its staining pattern in secondary lymphoid organs was characterized in particular detail. Staining of mouse spleen with ER-TR7 revealed a system of extracellular reticular fibrils that delineates the microanatomical architecture of the organ and allows a clear distinction of the red and white pulp and their interconnecting marginal zone. Other structures that contain extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as the capsule, trabeculae, central arteriole, and other vascular walls were also strongly labeled by ER-TR7. Similarly, a fine reticular ER-TR7 staining delineated the T and B cell microenvironments within lymph nodes [2]. In the same lymphoid organs, ER-TR7 also marked the stromal cells known as Fibroblastic Reticular Cells (FRCs), which

LTBP1 promotes fibrillin incorporation into the extracellular matrix

“…After two days, cells were switched for additional 48 h in serum-free DMEM. The conditioned media were precipitated, resuspended in 2x Laemmli sample buffer and subjected to electrophoresis in 0.5% (w/ v) agarose/2.4% (w/v) polyacrylamide composite gels or in 4À12% polyacrylamide gradient gels under non reducing conditions [62]. Thyroglobulin (670 kDa) (Sigma) was used as a molecular weight standard.…”

Inborn errors of immunity and immunodeficiencies: Antibody‐mediated pathology and autoimmunity as a consequence of impaired immune reactions

“…Indeed, some remarkable facts point in this direction. For instance, tolerance induction in mice increases the abundance of collagen VI present in the T-cell zone in LNs [90,104]. On the other side, antibodymediated targeting of collagen VI in mouse models resulted in reduced tolerance induction and enhanced graft rejection, correlating with altered migration of alloreactive T cells and T regulatory cells to the cortical ridge ECM structure at the interphase between the T-and B-cell zone [90,105].…”

Visualization and functional characterization of lymphoid organ fibroblasts*

“…For example, the antibody Erasmus University Rotterdam‐thymic reticulum antibody 7 (ER‐TR7) enabled specific staining of reticular networks in the splenic white pulp and the T cell zone of lymph nodes 23,24 (Figure 1C,D). The ER‐TR7 antibody recognizes collagen type VI 25 and facilitates hence the visualization of the extracellular matrix organization generated by the FRC network. Improved and refined immunohistochemistry protocols and the acquisition of high resolution images by laser scanning confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the reticular fiber network, that is generated and ensheathed by FRCs, serves as a conduit for soluble factors and antigens 26‐28 .…”

“…For example, the antibody Erasmus University Rotterdam-thymic reticulum antibody 7 (ER-TR7) enabled specific staining of reticular networks in the splenic white pulp and the T cell zone of lymph nodes 23,24 (Figure 1C,D). The ER-TR7 antibody recognizes collagen type VI 25 and facilitates hence the visualization of the extracellular matrix organization generated by the FRC network.…”