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Pemphigus serum-induced loss of microvilli from human epidermal cells
Abstract:
Scanning electron microscopic examination of human epidermal cells prepared from suction blister roofs by treatment with trypsin and dithioerythritol and incubated (37 degrees C, 18 hours) with pemphigus sera revealed a smooth or wrinkled surface texture in 83 to 96% and surface microvilli in only 17 to 4%. The disappearance of microvilli was not affected by the presence of complement. In the control specimen 54% of the cells retained their microvilli. The difference between cells incubated with pemphigus and those incubated with control sera was highly significant (p less than 0.001). Epidermal cell suspensions were also incubated with pemphigus vulgaris sera plus a protease inhibitor (ovomucoid). The loss of microvilli from human epidermal cells induced by pemphigus vulgaris serum was highly significantly inhibited by ovomucoid (p less than 0.001). The results suggest that the loss of microvilli induced by pemphigus sera, irrespective of the presence of complement, may be an important factor in acantholysis of pemphigus. Proteolytic enzymes may be responsible for the loss of microvilli and smoothing of the cell surface of human epidermal cells in vitro.
Insights
Pemphigus sera cause human epidermal cells to lose surface microvilli, potentially leading to acantholysis. Protease inhibitors can prevent this microvilli loss, suggesting enzymes play a key role.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin.
- Acantholysis, the loss of cell adhesion in the epidermis, is a hallmark of pemphigus.
- The precise mechanisms underlying pemphigus pathogenesis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of pemphigus sera on human epidermal cell surface morphology.
- To determine the role of microvilli loss in pemphigus-induced acantholysis.
- To explore the involvement of proteolytic enzymes in pemphigus pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine human epidermal cells.
- Cells were prepared from suction blister roofs and treated with trypsin and dithioerythritol.
- Cells were incubated with pemphigus sera or control sera, with and without complement or protease inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Pemphigus sera significantly reduced the presence of surface microvilli on epidermal cells compared to control sera (p < 0.001).
- The loss of microvilli was not influenced by the presence of complement.
- A protease inhibitor (ovomucoid) significantly inhibited the pemphigus-induced loss of microvilli (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The loss of epidermal cell microvilli induced by pemphigus sera may contribute to acantholysis.
- Proteolytic enzymes are likely involved in the smoothing of the epidermal cell surface observed in pemphigus.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic target for pemphigus by inhibiting proteolytic enzymes.