Isolated basal keratinocytes express pemphigoid gestationis antigen.

Basal keratinocytes were isolated from epidermal cell suspensions prepared by trypsinization of normal human skin. Cells were identified as basal cells by their adherence to collagen and confirmed as basal cells by the presence of pemphigoid antigen. Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, cells were found to express pemphigoid gestationis-related antigen. Sera from patients with pemphigoid gestationis reacted in one of two immunofluorescence patterns: either polar, in a pattern similar to that observed with bullous pemphigoid serum, or with uniform staining around the cell periphery. Pemphigoid gestationis-related antigen is expressed by isolated basal keratinocytes and is resistant to trypsinization. The heterogeneity of immunofluorescence patterns may correspond to the heterogeneity of antigen recognition by different patients with pemphigoid gestationis.