Anatomical expression of target antigens in autoimmune blistering dermatoses as markers for lesion formation

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBD) mainly consist of two groups. While pemphigoid diseases are characterized by autoantibodies against structural proteins of the dermalepidermal junction, pemphigus diseases are characterized by autoantibodies against the desmosomal adhesion proteins, desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and Dsg3 in the epidermis and surface-close epithelia. It is well-known that certain anatomical body regions are particularly prone to harbor lesions in specific AIBD. Blister formation in bullous pemphigoid e.g., occurs mostly on the flexural parts of the limbs, on the abdomen, and in the mucosal areas. Pemphigus diseases mostly affect mucosal areas and upper back part of the body. Yet, it has not been systematically analyzed whether these specific body regions are affected due to increased mechanical stress or high expression of the corresponding target antigens at these sites. In the present proposal, the expression of different AIBD target antigens at different body sites will be studied on the mRNA and protein levels using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining in post-mortem biopsies. Result of this study will help to better understand the predilection sites of different AIBD.