Immunofluorescent Studies in Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

Abstract

A group of subjects with oral lesions representative of mucous membrane pemphigoid were studied by direct and indirect immunofluorescence. Biopsy specimens from seven of 11 subjects demonstrated deposition of one or more classes of immunoglobulin and complement in the region of the basement membrane. None of twelve sera showed circulating antibodies of the bullous pemphigoid or pemphigus types. The literature on immunological studies on patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid is reviewed, and a possible immunopathological relationship between bullous pemphigoid and mucous membrane pemphigoid is discussed.