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Erythema multiforme associated human autoantibodies against desmoplakin I and II: biochemical characterization and passive transfer studies into newborn mice.

The demonstration of circulating autoantibodies directed against the constitutive desmosomal plaque proteins desmoplakin (dp) I and II in mucocutaneous lesions in a subset of patients with erythema multiforme major, suggests that humoral immune mechanisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of this severe skin disease. In this study we identified a specific peptide sequence--YSYSYS--representing an antigenic binding site for the human autoantibodies. This epitope is localized at the extreme carboxy terminal domain of dp thought to be responsible for the assembly of keratin filaments with desmosomes. To test the possibility whether these antibodies may exert any pathologic effects in vivo, human autoantibodies were affinity purified on a corresponding synthetic peptide matrix and peptide-specific antibodies were raised in rabbits. After repeated subcutaneous injections into newborn mice, affinity-purified human autoantibodies and anti-peptide rabbit IgG were detected on desmosomal plaques of keratinocytes overlying the injection site. Histologic and electron microscopic examinations showed hydropic degeneration of basal and suprabasal keratinocytes, dyskeratosis, signs of suprabasal acantholysis, and keratin filaments detached from the desmosomal plaques clumping around the nucleus. We demonstrate that autoantibodies are directed to an epitope within a dp domain crucial for the interaction of keratin filaments with desmosomes, and, when injected subcutaneously into newborn mice, produce pathologic changes. These findings imply that autoantibodies to dp could impair the function of desmosome-keratin filament complexes suggesting a pathogenic role in vivo.