Pemphigus foliaceus associated with silicosis

Pulmonary interstitial lesions in pemphigus mouse model: Verifying pemphigus may not be only limited to skin and mucosa

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been identified as a prevalent complication and significant contributor to mortality in individuals with pemphigus. In this study, a murine model of pemphigus was developed through the subcutaneous administration of serum IgG obtained from pemphigus patients, allowing for an investigation into the association between pemphigus and ILD. Pulmonary interstitial lesions were identified in the lungs of a pemphigus mouse model through histopathology, RT-qPCR and Sircol assay analyses. The severity of these lesions was found to be positively associated with the concentration of IgG in the injected serum. Additionally, DIF staining revealed the deposition of serum IgG in the lung tissue of pemphigus mice, indicating that the subcutaneous administration of human IgG directly impacted the lung tissue of the mice, resulting in damage. This study confirms the presence of pulmonary interstitial lesions in the pemphigus mouse model and establishes a link between pemphigus and ILD.

Reviewing putative industrial triggering in pemphigus: cluster of pemphigus in the area near the wastewater treatment plant

A range of pemphigus is relatively rare potentially fatal group of autoimmune blistering dermatoses. Usually, there is no apparent triggering, while in some predisposed patients there are alleged environmental/industrial inducing factors. In a short time period (4 years), we diagnosed 3 novel cases of pemphigus (1 pemphigus vulgaris, 1 pemphigus foliaceus and 1 shift from pemphigus foliaceus into pemphigus vulgaris) at a clinical and laboratory level (ELISA, immunofluorescence studies). We discuss a possible common inducing mechanism as these patients inhabit one estate of the Poznan suburbia (Kozieglowy, population < 12,000), Greater Poland district, Poland, and review literature data on alleged pemphigus triggers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report exploring the putative association between pemphigus diseases and wastewater treatment plant waterborne or volatile by-products in the vicinity of such a facility.

Antidesmoglein autoantibodies in silicosis patients with no bullous diseases

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is an autoimmune bullous disease characterized by the presence of antidesmoglein autoantibodies. However, the mechanism of its autoantibody production remains unknown. In previous reports, we have described rare cases of pemphigus and pemphigoid associated with silicosis. It is well known that during long-term silicosis, some autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, can occur.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the presence of pemphigus or pemphigoid autoantibodies in silicosis patients without clinical bullous diseases or collagen diseases.

METHOD

The presence of pemphigus antibodies was examined in 54 silicosis patients with no associated bullous diseases, using immunofluorescence, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for desmoglein 1 and 3, and immunoblotting methods. In the antibody-positive cases, HLA genotyping of peripheral lymphocytes was performed with PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

Seven out of the 54 patients were found to be positive for pemphigus antibodies and 1 for bullous pemphigoid by immunofluorescence. In addition, by ELISA, 6 patients were found to be positive against the desmoglein 1 antigen, 2 against the desmoglein 3 antigen and 2 against both desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study strongly suggest the occurrence of pemphigus and pemphigoid autoantibodies in patients with silicosis. It remains unclear whether such patients will develop an autoimmune bullous disease in the future. Accordingly, long-term follow-up of antibody-positive patients is required.