Summary
The ultrastructural localization of immunoglobulins bound in vivo in LE skin was investigated by means of an electron microscopic immuno-peroxidase method. Three patients, one with SLE and two with CDLE, were studied. Immunoglobulins were demonstrated in a junctional zone which included the basal lamina and the most superficial layer of the subjacent dermis, one to two micra in width. The immunoglobulins were seen on the lamina, in the ground substance and on the fibrous components of his zone. A coating of collagen fibers by immunoglobulins was observed, as were, occasionally, immunoglobulin deposits in the microfibril-areas of elastic fibers.
Immediately below the basal lamina the immunoglobulins formed irregular aggregates of various size. They also extended beyond the lamina and coated the plasma membrane of basal cells. This immunoglobulin coat was consistently found on the half desmosomes.
There were no significant differences in the localization patterns of immunoglobulins in SLE and CDLE lesions. In CDLE skin the immunoglobulin positive zone was wider, the deposits were heavier and the irregular immunoglobulin aggregates were larger and more numerous. Reduplications of the basal lamina also exhibited immunoglobulin deposits.
It is concluded from various observations that these immunoglobulins are, at least in part, bound to antigenic sites within the junctional zone. It is hypothesized that the immunochemical staining patterns obtained in LE lesions are due both to antibasement membrane zone antibodies specifically bound to antigens in this region and to immune complexes “nonspecifically” deposited in the tissue.
Zusammenfassung
Die ultrastrukturelle Lokalisation der in vivo in LE-Läsionen gebundenen Immunglobuline wurde mittels einer elektronenmikroskopischen Immun-Peroxidase-Methode untersucht (1 Patient mit SLE, 2 Patienten mit CDLE). Immunoglobuline wurden in der dermo-epidermalen Junctionszone sowie in einem Bereich, der die Basallamina und einen 1–2 µ breiten, daruntergelegenen Streifen des papillären Bindegewebes umfaßt, nachgewiesen. Die Globuline sind innerhalb dieser Zone an der Basallamina, in der Grundsubstanz und an den Bindegewebsfasern lokalisiert. Kollagenfasern sind von einer Globulinhülle umgeben, elastische Fasern weisen gelegentlich Globulinablagerungen im Bereich ihrer Mikrofibrillen auf.
Knapp unterhalb der Basallamina bilden die Immunglobuline unregelmäßige Aggregate unterschiedlicher Größe. Sie erstrecken sich aber auch über die Basallamina hinaus bis an die Plasmamembran der Basalzellen, an deren Oberfläche sie mantelförmige Ablagerungen bilden. Diese Immunglobulinschicht findet sich regelmäßig an der Oberfläche der Halbdesmosomen.
Zwischen den Ablagerungen bei SLE und CDLE bestehen keine grundsätzlichen Unterschiede. In CDLE-Läsionen ist die Immunglobulin-positive Zone allerdings breiter, die Ablagerungen sind dichter und die Aggregate zahlreicher und größer. Reduplikationen der Basallamina sind ebenfalls von Immunglobulinen markiert.
Es wird aus einer Reihe von Beobachtungen geschlossen, daß diese Immunglobuline, zumindest z.T., an antigene Strukturen in der Junctionszone gebunden sind.
Das immunocytochemische Reaktionsmuster von LE-Läsionen kommt offenbar sowohl durch Antikörper gegen die Basalmembran-Region, die an Antigene in der Junctionszone gebunden werden, als auch durch „unspezifisch“ abgelagerte Immunkomplexe zustande.
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Supported, in part, by Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Wien, and Schering AG, Berlin.
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Elisabeth, WS., Wolff, K. Immunoglobulins at the dermal-epidermal junction in lupus erythematosus: ultrastructural investigations. Arch. Derm. Forsch. 246, 193–210 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00595420
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00595420