IgG autoantibodies to type VII collagen and an exclusive IgG3 reactivity to the laminin alpha3 chain in a patient with an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease.
We describe a patient with widespread skin lesions and circulating IgG autoantibodies to both type VII collagen and laminin 5. Although autoantibodies to type VII collagen belonged to IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 subclasses, laminin 5 was targeted exclusively by IgG3 autoantibodies. Interestingly, despite the presence of IgG3 autoantibodies, the patient's serum failed to fix complement to the dermoepidermal junction. In addition, these autoantibodies did not recruit and activate leukocytes or induce dermoepidermal separation in skin sectioned by cryostat. We report a most unusual case of an autoimmune subepidermal blistering with an exclusive IgG3 reactivity to laminin 5.
Baican
Adrian
A
Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Hirako
Yoshiaki
Y
Lazarova
Zelmira
Z
Yancey
Kim B
KB
Zillikens
Detlef
D
Sitaru
Cassian
C
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001768:Blister / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology; D024143:Collagen Type VII / Q000276:immunology*; D004890:Erythema / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007797:Laminin / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D000097794:Kalinin
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D024143:Collagen Type VII; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007797:Laminin; D000097794:Kalinin; C095567:laminin alpha 3