Abstract
Background
Pemphigus is part of a group of blistering diseases that affect the skin and
mucous membranes. Based on its autoimmune origin, autoantibodies develop in
pemphigus that are directed toward cell surface components of keratinocytes.
However, some data cannot be explained, such as the lack of a relationship
between autoantibody levels and the severity of clinical manifestations,
treatment resistance, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and the
potential occurrence of apoptosis as determinants of vesicle formation.
Objective
To examine the presence of apoptosis in pemphigus vulgaris by TUNEL
technique.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we selected 15 paraffin-embedded tissues from
subjects who were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris by hematoxylin and eosin
staining. The samples were subjected to TUNEL assay and examined under an
Olympus BX61 fluorescence microscope. Positivity was categorized
dichotomously, and the statistical analysis was performed using the X2
test.
Results
Positivity was observed in basal layer cells in 14 (93.3%) cases. In 13
(86.7%) of the positive cases, we noted espinosum and granular layers that
formed the blister roof, and in 12 cases (80%), positive acantholytic cells
were observed.
Conclusions
TUNEL positivity was observed in pemphigus vulgaris, implicating apoptosis in
the pathophysiology of this condition, which can help guide the development
of apoptotic blockers as therapeutics.
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