title: Apoptotic pathways in the pathogenesis of pemphigus: targets for new therapies.
abstract: Pemphigus is a group of rare autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin in which autoantibodies to desmosome cadherins, desmogleins, induce loss of cell-cell adhesion (acantholysis). In addition to steric hindrance and activation of intracellular phosphorylation cascade signaling pathways, apoptosis has been suggested to contribute to the mechanism by which pathogenic IgG induces acantholysis. We review the literature examining the role of apoptosis in pemphigus. Current data recognize a central role of apoptosis in the mechanisms of blister induction. In particular, here we stress the key role of FasL in pemphigus, as it is able to first induce apoptosis, then acantholysis. Being pro-apoptotic molecules important in blister formation, they could represent new specific targets for pemphigus treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnologies, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71 41100 Modena Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lotti
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pincelli
mesh_terms: D000051:Acantholysis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019014:fas Receptor