At least 11 genetically distinct gene products are collectively referred to as 'collagen types' or other proteins and proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix. In humans, collagens are composed of about 20 unique protein chains which under go various types of post-translational modifications and are ultimately assembled into a triple helix. This results in great diversity between collagen types. Collagens are highly conserved throughout evolution and are characterized by an uninterrupted "Glycine-X-Y" triplet repeat that is a necessary part of the triple helical structure. For these reasons it is often extremely difficult to generate antibodies with specificities to collagens. The development of type specific antibodies is dependent on NON-DENATURED three-dimensional epitopes. This preparation results in a native conformation of the protein.

These antibodies are well suited to detect extracellular matrix proteins in normal as well as disease state tissues. Disruption of tissue organization is the hallmark of neoplasia. Malignant lesions can be distinguished from benign by examining the breakdown of basement membranes and loss of 3-dimensional architecture. Malignant cells are presumed to use matrix metalloproteases to degrade barriers created by the extracellular matrix which then allows metastasis to occur. Collagenases, stomelysins and gelatinases can collectively degrade all of the various components of the extracellular matrix, including fibrillar and non-fibrillar collagens and basement membrane glycoproteins.