THE AUTOIMMUNE BLISTERING SKIN-DISEASE BU LLOUS PEMPHIGOID - DEPOSITION AND ACTIVATION OF PLASMINOGEN IN LESIONAL SKIN

Autoimmune dermatoses are associated with antibody deposition, complem ent activation and subsequent tissue destruction. Plasmin-mediated pro teolysis is thought to be one element of tissue destruction in autoimm une bullous dermatoses such as bullous pemphigoid. Biochemical and imm unological studies on bullous pemphigoid skin blister fluid disclosed plasmin/alpha2-antiplasmin and putative plasmin/alpha2-macroglobulin c omplexes. Since the formation of plasmin/inhibitor complexes requires active plasmin, our findings indicate previous activation of plasminog en to plasmin in skin lesions.