title: Autoreactive T cell responses in pemphigus and pemphigoid.
abstract: Pemphigus and pemphigoid are cutaneous autoimmune diseases characterised by autoantibodies directed against specific adhesion proteins of the epidermis and dermal-epidermal junction. These proteins are usually associated with desmosomes or hemidesmosomes. Binding of antibodies to their targets leads to the loss of cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesion and subsequently to blister formation. The humoral aspects of the autoimmune responses in pemphigus and pemphigoid have been extensively studied in the past. More recently, the cellular interactions resulting in the formation of autoantibodies and the involvement of autoreactive T cells in these diseases have attracted increased interest. In this review, the current knowledge on T cell involvement in pemphigus and pemphigoid is summarised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider Str. 2, 97080 Wurzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gertie J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Oostingh
authors.forename: Cassian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sitaru
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kromminga
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dormann
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zillikens
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000276:immunology*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens