An organ culture model for the study of pemphigus acantholysis

An in vitro model for the study of pemphigus acantholysis has been developed. The histological changes of pemphigus vulgaris were reproduced in vitro in organ culture by growing normal human skin in the presence of pemphigus vulgaris or pemphigus foliaceus sera. At 24 h a suprabasilar split was noted and at 72 h extensive suprabasilar acantholysis developed. Direct immunofluorescent tests demonstrated that pemphigus antibody became bound to the epidermal intercellular space antigen(s) during the first 6-12 h. As acantholysis increased the presence of tissue-fixed antibody decreased. The fixation of the pemphigus antibody to the skin prior to the development of acantholysis provides strong evidence for the pathogenetic role of this antibody in the production of acantholysis. The data suggest that complement is not required in this model for the production of the acantholytic changes of pemphigus since heating the serum for 30 min at 56 degrees C did not destroy the acantholytic activity and no complement (C3) could be detected by DIF of organ culture explants.