The regeneration of gingival basement membrane antigens during secondary wound healing.

The reformation of basement membrane antigens was examined during healing following gingivectomy procedures. Three antigens, Type IV collagen, bullous pemphigoid antigen and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) antigen, were identified by indirect immunofluorescent tests. While all three antigens could be identified in the healing wound within 2 days, the antigens regenerated at different rates. The bullous pemphigoid antigen reformed the earliest and extended furthest along the healing front of epithelium. The Type IV collagen reformed at an intermediate rate and the EBA antigen formed the slowest. These results confirm that these three antigens are different and suggest that the gingival basement membrane is a heterogeneous structure which contains elements that form at different rates during secondary wound healing.