Immunological methods for the detection of the human type IV collagen alpha 5 chain

摘要

The present invention provides for a method for preparing antibodies that specifically detect the type IV collagen alpha 5 chain that is defective in various basement membrane disorders such as in X chromosome-linked Alport's syndrome. The invention further provides for the use of such antibodies to detect the alpha 5(IV) collagen chain in solutions and other human tissue specimens using immunological methods comprised of antibodies specific for said protein. Along this line, the invention relates to the use of the specific antibodies to examine the presence or absence of the alpha 5(IV) collagen chain in the tissues, e.g. skin or kidneys, etc. of patients with renal failure, possibly due to Alport's syndrome.