Fc ‐binding proteins enhance autoantibody‐induced BP180 depletion in pemphigoid

In this study, monoclonal antibody (mAb) against NC16A in combination with Fc‐binding proteins was found to enhance BP180 depletion. Although mAb against the C‐terminus of BP180 does not show pathogenicityin vivo orin vitro, mAb treatment with Fc ‐binding proteins clearly induced skin fragility in mice and BP180 depletion in keratinocytes. Anti‐BP180 mAbs and Fc‐binding proteins were colocalized in the cytoplasm and at the basement membrane zone. Cell adhesion strengths were decreased in parallel with BP180 amounts. Clinically, bullous pemphigoid patients had higher rheumatoid factor titers than controls. Anti‐BP180 mAb in combination with high titer rheumatoid factor serum was found to enhance BP180 depletion. Furthermore, saliva from mucous membrane pemphigoid patients contained larger quantities of bacteria and Fc‐binding proteins than controls. Our results suggest that Fc‐binding proteins (rheumatoid factor or protein G) may enhance the pathogenicity of autoantibodies in pemphigoid diseases.
Source: The Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Original Paper Source Type: research