Different patterns of in vitro acantholysis in normal human skin samples explanted from different sites of the body

The factors that contribute to a preferential anatomic localization of pemphigus lesions are not well known. In particular, the question arises as to whether certain skin areas may be more acantholysis-prone than others.

To verify whether, in pemphigus patients, a different susceptibility to acantholysis exists among different cutaneous regions, the technique of tissue cultures was used.

Normal human skin explants from two distinct anatomic regions (back and buttocks) of two former pemphigus patients were cultured in vitro in the presence of enalapril (6 mM) or cystamine (10 mM), two substances with a proven biochemical acantholytic effect. After 4 days of culture, the tissues were processed for standard histology.

Diffuse acantholysis, with large intraepidermal splits, was observed in the explants taken from the backs of both subjects and cultured with either enalapril or cystamine. Mild to moderate acantholytic changes were detected in the explants taken from the buttocks of both subjects and cultured with either enalapril or cystamine. No structural changes were seen in the control cultures.

Pemphigus patients present different thresholds of acantholysis in different areas of their bodies. This might explain, at least in part, certain preferential anatomic localizations of pemphigus lesions.