Induction of complement-fixing autoantibodies against type VII collagen results in subepidermal blistering in mice

Cassian Sitaru*, Mircea T. Chiriac, Sidonia Mihai, Jürgen Büning, Andreas Gebert, Akira Ishiko, Detlef Zillikens

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit
115 Zitate (Scopus)

Abstract

Experimental models reproducing an autoimmune response resulting in skin blistering in immunocompetent animals are lacking. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a bullous skin disease caused by autoantibodies to type VII collagen. In this study, we describe an active disease model of EBA by immunizing mice of different strains with murine type VII collagen. All mice developed circulating IgG autoantibodies that recognized type VII collagen and bound to the lamina densa of the dermal-epidermal junction. Importantly, subepidermal blisters developed in 82% of SJL-1,56% of BALB/c mice, and 45% of FcγRIIb-deficient mice, but not in SKH-1 mice. In susceptible animals, deposits of IgG1, IgG2, and complement C3 were detected at the dermal-epidermal junction. In contrast, in the nondiseased mice, tissue-bound autoantibodies were predominantly of the IgG1 subclass and complement activation was weak or absent. This active disease model reproduces in mice the clinical, histopathological, and immunopathological findings in EBA patients. This robust experimental system should greatly facilitate further studies on the pathogenesis of EBA and the development of novel immunomodulatory therapies for this and other autoimmune diseases.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftJournal of Immunology
Jahrgang177
Ausgabenummer5
Seiten (von - bis)3461-3468
Seitenumfang8
ISSN0022-1767
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 01.09.2006

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