Expression of selected adhesion molecules in dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are autoimmune diseases characterized by destruction of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) and anchoring fibres by autoantibodies and infiltration. Adhesion molecules can take part in these phenomena. Skin biopsies were taken from 13 patients with DH, 21 with BP, and from 10 healthy subjects. The localization and expression of E and L selectins and beta1, beta3, beta4 integrins were studied by immunohistochemistry. Expression of selectins was detected mainly in the skin leukocytes in all samples. Expression of beta1, beta3 integrins was detected mainly in basal keratinocytes. Expression of beta 4 integrin was irregular and detected mainly in the blister. Our results suggest that integrins and selectins may play an important role in the destruction of BMZ in DH and BP. The elucidation of the role of adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of bullous diseases may be helpful in the development of new targeted therapies.