title: Immunofluorescence mapping for the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa.
abstract: Immunofluorescence mapping is based on the detection of structural proteins of keratinocytes or of the dermo-epidermal junction using specific poly- or monoclonal antibodies. Through this method, the level of split formation can be determined by investigating the location of a given antigen in a natural or induced blister. This method also allows testing for the normal expression, reduction or absence of various structural proteins depending on the antibodies used. It has widely replaced transmission electron microscopy and is used as the initial laboratory test to prove the clinical diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. g.pohla-gubo@salk.at
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pohla-Gubo
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cepeda-Valdes
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hintner
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D004820:Epidermolysis Bullosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers