Type IV collagen is the primary structural component of the basement membrane, forming a specialized network that provides mechanical support and filtration. Unlike fibrillar collagens (Types I, II, and III), Type IV collagen assembles into a sheet-like meshwork essential for the integrity of the basement membrane in tissues such as the kidney glomerulus and blood vessels. This unique configuration facilitates selective permeability and cellular adhesion, crucial in surgical contexts involving tissue repair and organ transplantation. Recognizing Type IV collagen’s role helps understand pathologies like Alport syndrome, where mutations disrupt basement membrane stability.

Reference: Robbins Basic Pathology, Kumar, Abbas, Aster, 10th Edition.