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Antibody-induced proteinase activation: a proposed mechanism for pemphigus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Singer, KH; Hashimoto, K; Lazarus, GS
Published in: Springer Semin Immunopathol
June 1981

The current state of understanding of pemphigus includes the following: 1. Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease. In all variants a circulating autoantibody is found which binds to epidermal cells. In vivo antibody may be found deposited in the epidermis of patients. 2. The autoantibody levels generally correlate with disease activity indicating a relationship between antibody and clinical disease. 3. Although complement components are found in lesional skin, complement does not appear to be necessary for dissolution of the epidermal cement substance. 4. The treatment of pemphigus with corticosteroids has drastically reduced mortality rates. 5. Three different groups have presented results in two different experimental systems which indicate that subsequent to binding of pemphigus antibody to epidermal cells a proteinase is activated. This proteinase(s) degrades the intercellular cement substance of epidermis which results in loss of cellular adhesion and acantholysis. There are numerous questions still remaining. What is the nature of the proteinase(s) and the surface protein(s) it cleaves? Does the binding of pemphigus antibody to the cell surface induce enzyme synthesis, specific enzyme activation, or generalized lysosomal secretion? The answers to these questions will have broad biologic relevance since they may elucidate the role of anticell surface antibodies in disease states.

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Published In

Springer Semin Immunopathol

DOI

ISSN

0344-4325

Publication Date

June 1981

Volume

4

Issue

1

Start / End Page

17 / 32

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Rabbits
  • Pemphigus
  • Mice
  • Immunology
  • Humans
  • Haplorhini
  • Epidermis
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Endopeptidases
  • Complement System Proteins
 

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Singer, K. H., Hashimoto, K., & Lazarus, G. S. (1981). Antibody-induced proteinase activation: a proposed mechanism for pemphigus. Springer Semin Immunopathol, 4(1), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01891882
Singer, K. H., K. Hashimoto, and G. S. Lazarus. “Antibody-induced proteinase activation: a proposed mechanism for pemphigus.Springer Semin Immunopathol 4, no. 1 (June 1981): 17–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01891882.
Singer KH, Hashimoto K, Lazarus GS. Antibody-induced proteinase activation: a proposed mechanism for pemphigus. Springer Semin Immunopathol. 1981 Jun;4(1):17–32.
Singer, K. H., et al. “Antibody-induced proteinase activation: a proposed mechanism for pemphigus.Springer Semin Immunopathol, vol. 4, no. 1, June 1981, pp. 17–32. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/BF01891882.
Singer KH, Hashimoto K, Lazarus GS. Antibody-induced proteinase activation: a proposed mechanism for pemphigus. Springer Semin Immunopathol. 1981 Jun;4(1):17–32.
Journal cover image

Published In

Springer Semin Immunopathol

DOI

ISSN

0344-4325

Publication Date

June 1981

Volume

4

Issue

1

Start / End Page

17 / 32

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Rabbits
  • Pemphigus
  • Mice
  • Immunology
  • Humans
  • Haplorhini
  • Epidermis
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Endopeptidases
  • Complement System Proteins