Classification of immunoglobulins in the dermo-epidermal junction in lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Immunofluorescence studies of skin lesions of discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus and also of the unaffected skin in systemic lupus erythematosus, revealed γ-globulin (IgG) apparently always present in the region of the dermo-epidermal junction; macroglobulin (IgM) and IgA were coincidentally bound to this region. In all the sections examined, L-chains type κ and λ proteins could, with the aid of the `double layer' method, be demonstrated in the dermo-epidermal junction. The impression was gained that the immunoglobulins IgM and IgA are mainly located in the adjacent sites of the dermo-epidermal junction, whereas IgG appears to be localized on the junction itself. The heterogeneity in respect to the occurrence of these classes of immunoglobulins is similar to that already known for antinuclear factors.