Involvement of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in acantholysis induced by pemphigus IgG.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Pemphigus IgG induces acantholysis in skin organ culture without the involvement of complement. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, a proteolytic enzyme, has been implicated in the development of acantholysis. To test this hypothesis, we prepared a rabbit anti-urokinase antibody, which inhibited the plasminogen activator activity in normal human epidermis and in cultured keratinocytes. When added to skin organ cultures along with pemphigus IgG, anti-urokinase IgG completely prevented the development of acantholysis. Normal or preimmune rabbit IgG had no effect on pemphigus IgG-induced acantholysis. Plasminogen activator converts the zymogen plasminogen to its active form plasmin, a broad specificity serine proteinase. When high concentrations of plasminogen alone were added to skin organ culture, acantholysis of the pemphigus foliaceous type was induced. Anti-urokinase antibody also inhibited plasminogen-induced acantholysis. These results strongly support a pivotal role for plasminogen activator in the development of acantholysis.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Morioka, S; Lazarus, GS; Jensen, PJ
Published Date
- November 1987
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 89 / 5
Start / End Page
- 474 - 477
PubMed ID
- 3117905
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0022-202X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12460937
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States