Correlation of platelet-related parameters and autoantibodies in patients with autoimmune bullous diseases

Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are rare, tissue-specific autoimmune diseases of the skin, and corresponding autoantibodies have been proved to be pathogenic. Recently, we reported that variations in platelet-related parameters may reflect the fluctuations of circulating AIBD-correlated antibody titers during the disease progression of 1 patient with AIBD. The purpose of this article is to further investigate the possible correlation between autoantibody titers and platelet-related parameters in patients with AIBD.

This study collected data on autoantibody titers and platelet-related parameters from 136 patients with bullous pemphigoid positive for anti-BP180 antibodies, 54 patients with pemphigus foliaceus positive for anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 1 antibody, 55 patients with pemphigus vulgaris positive for both anti-Dsg1 and Dsg3 antibodies, and 16 patients with pemphigus vulgaris positive for anti-Dsg3 antibody alone. Two groups of healthy individuals served as controls.

Comparative analyses revealed clinically significantly elevated platelet-related parameters, such as platelet count and thrombocytocrit, in the autoantibody-positive patient groups relative to control individuals. Correlation analyses demonstrated statistically significant positive associations between autoantibody titers and specific platelet-related parameters.

These findings represent the first documented evidence of a positive correlation between autoantibody titers and platelet-related parameters in patients with AIBDs. The data implied that platelets may contribute to the disease pathophysiology and progression of AIBDs.