IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G SUBCLASS DISTRIBUTION OF ANTIEPITHELIAL CELL-SURFACEANTIBODIES IN PEMPHIGUS

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the IgG subclas s distribution of pemphigus anti-epithelial cell surface (ECS) antibod ies and to determine whether it differs according to clinical features . Materials and methods. 25 skin biopsies and 16 serum samples, obtain ed from 27 cases of pemphigus, were analyzed by direct and indirect IF staining, with mice anti-human IgG subclasses monoclonal antibodies. Results. IgG1 deposits were observed in 21 of 25, IgG2 in 2, IgG3 in 0 , and IgG4 in the 25 biopsies. IgG1 anti-ECS anti-ECS anti-bodies were detected in all 16 sera, IgG2 in 1, IgG3 in 1, and IgG4 in 15 sera. T he anti-ECS IgG subclass distribution does not differ according to the clinical parameters studied. Discussion. The isotypic restriction to IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses, observed in this study, is similar to previo usly reported results. The heterogenous distribution and the small num ber of the studied samples did not allow to pur in evidence a correlat ion with the clinical parameters.