Basement membrane zone and dermal extracellular matrix of the vulva, vagina and amnion: An immunohistochemical study with comparison with non-reproductive epithelium.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The basement membrane zone (BMZ) is an anatomically defined region present in all types of skin and mucosa, linking the epithelium to the mesenchyme with a complex structure to provide adhesion. Altered antigenic expression of the BMZ is implicated in interface dermatoses, and the BMZ is targeted by autoantibodies in subepidermal immunobullous dermatoses. This study aims to compare the antigenic expression of the BMZ and the dermal extracellular matrix in female genital skin and mucosa and amnion, with non-reproductive skin and mucosa.

METHODS

An indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to compare the antigenic expression of hemidesmosome, lamina lucida, anchoring filaments, lamina densa, anchoring fibrils and extracellular matrix in samples of non-reproductive skin (three), oral mucosa (three), vulval skin (two), vagina (three) and amnion (four).

RESULTS

Antigenic expression was similar in the stratified epithelium of reproductive and non-reproductive skin and mucosa, but differed in the simple cuboidal epithelium of amnion, which had reduced expression of dermal-associated antigens.

CONCLUSIONS

The BMZ and dermal extracellular matrix of vagina and vulva are very similar to those of non-reproductive skin and mucosa despite their various functions, but differs from amnion. Their antigenic expression does not fully account for the anatomical distribution of immunobullous and interface dermatoses.