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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
12:23
Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
Characterization of pemphigus foliaceus antigen from human epidermis
N J Calvanico1, C R Martins, L A Diaz
1Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Sonication releases Fogo Selvagem (FS) antigens from insoluble epidermal envelopes, revealing four components. These FS antigens bind autoantibodies and are linked to desmoglein 1, aiding further characterization.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and Fogo Selvagem (FS) involve subcorneal blisters and IgG autoantibodies against keratinocyte antigens.
- A significant portion of FS antigens is associated with insoluble epidermal envelopes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate methods for releasing and characterizing FS antigens from insoluble epidermal fractions.
- To identify the molecular components and properties of FS antigens.
Main Methods:
- Sonication was used to release antigens from the insoluble epidermal envelope fraction.
- Immune precipitation and gel filtration chromatography were employed to analyze antigen components and molecular weights.
- Antigenic properties, including pH lability, precipitation characteristics, and antibody binding, were assessed.
Main Results:
- Sonication successfully released FS antigens, revealing four components with molecular weights of 260, 80, 62, and 45 kD.
- The 80- and 62-kD polypeptides were identified as major components, behaving as a 115-120 kD unit in SDS-PAGE.
- FS antigens precipitated with PF and FS sera, showed specific antibody subclass reactivity (IgG4, IgG1), and adsorbed human anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies.
Conclusions:
- Sonication is an effective method for solubilizing FS antigens from epidermal envelopes for further study.
- The characterized FS antigens are likely related to desmoglein 1 and exhibit specific autoantibody binding patterns.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise relationship of these identified FS antigens to previously reported ones.
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