Collagen alpha-1(VIII) chain, also known as endothelial collagen, C3orf7 and COL8A1, can be cleaved into vastatin chain. COL8A1 is a short chain collagen and a major component of the basement membrane of the corneal endothelium. COL8A1 forms homotrimers, or heterotrimers in association with alpha 2(VIII) type collagens. Four homotrimers can form a tetrhedron stabilized by central interacting C-terminal NC1 trimers. COL8A1 contains one C1q domain and is primarily expressed in the subendothelium of large blood vessels. The expression level can be up-regulated during vascular injury, in atherosclerosis and in diabetes. COL8A1 may have a role in the maintenance of vessel wall integrity and structure, in particular in atherogenesis.