[The autoimmune dermatosis bullous pemphigoid: deposition and activation of plasminogen in affected epidermis].

Autoimmune dermatoses are associated with antibody deposition, complement activation and subsequent tissue destruction. Plasmin-mediated proteolysis is thought to be one element of tissue destruction in autoimmune bullous dermatoses such as bullous pemphigoid. Biochemical and immunological studies on bullous pemphigoid skin blister fluid disclosed plasmin/alpha 2-antiplasmin and putative plasmin/alpha 2-macroglobulin complexes. Since the formation of plasmin/inhibitor complexes requires active plasmin, our findings indicate previous activation of plasminogen to plasmin in skin lesions.