Pemphigus foliaceus
Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune (blistering disease) of the skin. Pemphigus foliaceus causes a characteristic inflammatory attack at the subcorneal layer of epidermis, which results in skin lesions that are scaly or crusted erosions with an erythematous (red) base. Mucosal involvement is absent even with widespread disease.
| Pemphigus foliaceus | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Treatment | Typically treated with topical corticosteroids in mild cases. In more severe treatment it is treated similarly to pemphigus vulgaris. |
If there is an autoimmune IgG buildup in the epidermis, then nearly all of the antibodies are aimed against desmoglein 1. The effect of the antibodies and the immunological pathway is most likely one of three mechanisms:
- Steric hindrance of the desmoglein 1: The antibody caps off the site for intracellular binding to another keratinocyte.
- Activation of an endocytic pathway: The antibody activates a pathway which causes an internalization of desmogleïn 1, which in turn causes a loss of adhesion.
- Disruption of function: In this case, the antibody blocks the desmoglein 1 from being formed into a desmosome. This in turn causes a loss of adhesion with acantholysis as a result.
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