Studies on fibronectin in the skin. V. Indirect immunofluorescence studies in dermatitis herpetiformis

Fibronectin is a normal glycoprotein in the human organism. It is important in cell/cell and cell/fiber interactions, and demonstrates a specific affinity to collagen. Fibronectin is abundantly present in the skin, mainly in the dermoepidermal junction area, and in the papillary dermis. In lesional skin in dermatitis herpetiformis, the distribution of fibronectin is affected resulting in haziness, gradual degradation and total disintegration, often with the formation of globular droplets. Intraepidermal deposition of fibronectin is found in lesional skin as inter- and intracellular accumulations, mainly in the stratum corneum area. The possible pathophysiological significance of fibronectin is discussed.