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Experimental production of antibodies against stratum corneum keratin polypeptides

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Summary

Anti-keratin polypeptide sera (K.P.S.) were obtained by immunizing guinea pigs with fibrous proteins from stratum corneum, which were acquired from normal human epidermis by means of S.D.S. polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After absorption with red blood cells and liver powder the sera were tested by indirect immunofluorescence technique on different substrates. Antibodies against polypeptides P1 and P2 of M.W. 67,000 and 62,000 dalton, respectively, were directed toward cytoplasmic Ag of keratinocytes of spinous and granular layer of normal human and rabbit epidermis. No labeling could be detected in the basal cell layer. This finding is in favor of various differentiation stages of the keratinizing cells.

P3 of M.W. 53,000 dalton induced low titre antibodies which labelled the whole epidermis, including the basal cell layer. The fourth polypeptide of M.W. 49,000 dalton seemed not to be immunogenic in such experiences.

In tumors, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and warts, the expression of keratin antigens is markedly diminished.

No analogy could be drawn between experimental keratin polypeptide antibodies and the human epidermal cytoplasmic antibodies which were detected in some patient sera.

Zusammenfassung

Antikeratin-Polypeptidseren (K.P.S.) wurden durch Immunisierung von Meerschweinchen mit fibrösen Proteinen des Stratum corneum erhalten, welches über die S.D.S. Polyacrylamid-Gel-Elektrophorese von normaler menschlicher Epidermis gewonnen wurde. Nach Absorption mit Erythrocyten und Leberpuder wurden diese Sera mit Hilfe der indirekten Immunfluorescenztechnik an verschiedenen Substraten getestet. Es wurden Antikörper gegen Polypeptide P1 und P2 mit einem Molekulargewicht von 67 000 und 62 000 Dalton nachgewiesen, die gegen cytoplasmatische Antikörper der Keratinocyten des Stratum spinosum und des Stratum granulosum der normalen menschlichen und Kaninchenepidermis gerichtet war. Ein Nachweis in den Basalzellagen konnte nicht erbracht werden. Dadurch wurden die verschiedenen Differenzierungsstadien der Zellen belegt, die sich zu Keratinocyten entwickeln und die oberhalb der Basalschicht lokalisiert sind.

Polypeptide P3 des Molekulargewichts 53 000 Dalton induzieren niedrigere Antikörpertiter, die die gesamte Epidermis markieren einschließlich der Basalzellage. Polypeptide mit einem Molekulargewicht 49 000 Dalton schienen keine immunogenetische Wirkung in diesen Experimenten zu haben.

Tumoren, wie Basalzellcarcinoma und Bindezellcarcinom, wie auch Warzen, wiesen eine deutlich verminderte Expression des Keratinantigens auf. Es wurde keine Analogie zwischen experimentell erzeugten Keratinpolypeptid-Antikörper und cytoplasmatischen Antikörpern der menschlichen Epidermis.

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This work was supported by INSERM: C. R. L. 1979 793 5212 and U. E. R. Grange Blanche

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Viac, J., Staquet, M.J., Thivolet, J. et al. Experimental production of antibodies against stratum corneum keratin polypeptides. Arch Dermatol Res 267, 179–188 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00569104

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00569104

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