Adhesion and Activation of Human Neutrophils onto Collagen Chains Separated by Electrophoresis

After separation of the various α chains of the collagens by SDS-PAGE, the binding of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to these chains was detected by a double-antibody technique and the activation of PMN by nitro blue tetrazolium. All of the α chains tested were able to bind PMNs. The α1 chain of type I collagen activated the PMN when it had not been treated with pepsin. Pepsinized types II and VI collagens did not activate PMN. The pepsinized α1 (III) chains and all three α chains from pepsinized type V collagen were able to activate PMN.