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Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
TNFalpha and IL-6 are mediators in the blistering process of pemphigus
E López-Robles1, E Avalos-Díaz, E Vega-Memije
1Department of Immunology, CBE, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Guadalupe, Zac. México.
Background:
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease characterized by intraepidermal blisters induced by pemphigus IgG. In addition to autoantibodies, molecular mechanisms involved in acantholysis remain largely unknown. For this reason, we address a possible role of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFalpha in pemphigus lesions.
Methods:
Sixteen biopsies from patients with different types of pemphigus were studied by in situ hybridization using DNA fluorescent probes for IL-6 and TNFalpha mRNA.
Results:
Fifty-six percent of lesional biopsies exhibited cytokine gene expression, which was poorly expressed in noninvolved skin. Deposits of TNFalpha and IL-6 were products of in situ transcription at the epidermal level.
Conclusions:
Inflammatory cytokine expression around the blister could play a mediator role in pemphigus lesions by increasing epithelial damage.
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