Autoimmunity to keratinocyte acetylcholine receptors in pemphigus.

Abstract

Pemphigus autoimmunity is not limited to antides- moglein antibodies. Nondesmoglein antibodies induce pemphigus-like lesions in neonatal mice. Acantholytic activity of pemphigus IgG harbors pharmacologic effects on keratinocyte shape and adhesion. Acantholytic antireceptor autoantibodies target: (1) a novel human alpha9 acetylcholine receptor regulating keratinocyte adhesion, and (2) pemphaxin, a novel keratinocyte annexin-like molecule binding acetylcholine. A 'multiple-hit' hypothesis reconciles recent findings of anti-acetylcholine-receptor autoimmunity in pemphigus and the fact that pemphigus patients also develop autoantibodies to adhesion molecules. The antiacantholytic activity of cholinergic agonists suggests a novel avenue for the development of a nonhormonal treatment of pemphigus.

• Authors: S A Grando
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 201 Issue 4 Pg. 290-5 ( 2000) ISSN: 1018-8665 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 11146336 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Receptors, Cholinergic

Topics

• Animals
• Autoimmunity
• Cell Adhesion
• Humans
• Keratinocytes (cytology, immunology)
• Pemphigus (immunology)
• Receptors, Cholinergic (immunology)