Alpha 1-microglobulin: a new antigenic component of the epidermo-dermal junction in normal human skin.

Monoclonal antibodies to human alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m), a glycoprotein present in most biological fluids, reacted with the basement membrane of the epidermo-dermal junction and that of eccrine sweat glands in normal human skin. This immunofluorescence was specific in that control antibodies of known well-defined reactivity did not stain these structures. Therefore, alpha 1-m seems to be a new antigenic component of the junction and it may be an interesting antigen to study in diseases of this area.