Epidermal cytoplasmic antigens: II. Concurrent presence of antigens of different specificities in normal human skin.

Cytoplasmic antigens of 3 different specificities are expressed concurrently in the epidermis of normal human skin. They differ by their location in distinct layers of the epidermis. One type is present in all epidermal cells, another only in cells of the superficial layers, and the third only in basal cells. All 3 antigens were present in 10 specimens of normal human skin. The superficial and basal cell antigens were absent in 4 basal cell epitheliomas and 3 squamous cell carcinomas. This finding, together with the stratification of the antigens in different layers of the skin, suggests epidermal cytoplasmic antigens are differentiation antigens.