title: Inflammatory epidermolysis bullosa acquisita with coexistent IgA antibodies to plectin.
abstract: We present a case of inflammatory epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) with IgA antibodies to plectin. Analysis of lesional skin biopsies by electron microscopy revealed the split level to be in the sublamina densa zone, corresponding to the diagnosis of EBA. Direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin demonstrated u-serrated depositions of IgG and IgA that under immunoelectron microscopy were shown to be located in the sublamina densa. In contrast, indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin revealed circulating IgA antibodies that stained the roof rather than the floor of the blister. Immunoblotting showed these serum antibodies to be directed to the cytoplasmic hemidesmosomal antigen plectin. The antiplectin specificity of these antibodies was confirmed by 'knockout' immunofluorescence analysis; the serum IgA did not bind to skin sections of a patient with plectin-deficient epidermolysis bullosa. To our knowledge, this case demonstrates for the first time the existence of IgA antibodies against plectin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology,Center for Blistering Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J J A
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Buijsrogge
authors.forename: M C J M
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dijk
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jonkman
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D016107:Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D051190:Plectin / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D051190:Plectin