PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS - PREFERENTIAL BINDING OF IGG1 AND C3 AT THE UPPER EPIDERMIS

The immunopathological mechanism of pemphigus foliaceus acantholysis r emains controversial. Previous workers have found that IgG autoantibod ies are reactive with the epidermal surface and capable of blister ind uction. The presence of complement components in lesions also suggests their potential role in this disease. Complement participation, howev er, has not been clearly demonstrated. We describe a case of pemphigus foliaceus (PF) in a SX-year old woman which was confirmed, by histopa thological and immunopathological studies, and by ELISA assay on recom binant PF antigen. Unusual features of this case include the predomina nce of IgG1 anti-epithelial antibody in both the deposits and circulat ion, and the preferential binding of IgG and complement component 3 at the upper epidermis. We believe that this pattern of co-localized dep osition suggests a location-specific, non-random complement activation .