title: [Assembly of the membrane attack complex of complement in pemphigus vulgaris skin].
abstract: The time course of the deposition of the membrane attack complex of complement (MAC) in the skin of a case of pemphigus vulgaris was studied by immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies to human C5, C6, C7, C8, C9 and C5b-9 neoantigens. Biopsy specimens of skin lesions always contained the MAC-related antigens in the ICS areas. No MAC could be detected in the non-lesional skin. It was also noted that MAC could be generated in vitro on cryostat-sectioned normal human skin by the patient serum in the presence of complement. The titer of this complement-fixing antibody rose during the clinically active phase. Results of these studies suggest that complement activation, with subsequent assembly of MAC, may be related to acantholysis in the pemphigus skin.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawana
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishiyama
mesh_terms: D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex