H. Koga

Anti-desmocollin autoantibodies in nonclassical pemphigus.

Despite the established pathogenic role of anti‐desmoglein (Dsg) antibodies in classical pemphigus, the significance of autoantibodies to another desmosomal cadherin, desmocollin (Dsc) is at present unknown. No consistent immunoassay for immunoglobulin (Ig) G autoantibodies to Dscs has been developed.

Clinical and immunological findings in 104 cases of paraneoplastic pemphigus

Although there are many reports of sporadic patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), only a few systematic studies on large cohorts of patients with PNP have been reported.

Clinical and immunological outcomes of high- and low-dose rituximab treatments in patients with pemphigus: a randomized, comparative, observer-blinded study †

Rituximab is a promising therapy in pemphigus. However, there is no consensus on optimum dose.

Five Japanese cases of antidesmoglein 1 antibody‐positive and antidesmoglein 3 antibody‐negative pemphigus with oral lesions

Background  Oral mucosal lesions develop in pemphigus vulgaris, but not in pemphigus foliaceus. This clinical phenomenon is explained by the ‘desmoglein (Dsg) compensation theory’. Dsg3 and Dsg1 are major autoantigens for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus, respectively. Dsg3 is overexpressed and Dsg1 is weakly expressed on the oral mucosa. Thus, on the oral mucosa, suppression of Dsg3 function by anti‐Dsg3 autoantibodies is not compensated by weakly expressed Dsg1 in pemphigus vulgaris, while suppression of Dsg1 function by anti‐Dsg1 autoantibodies is perfectly compensated by richly expressed Dsg3 in pemphigus foliaceus.

Summary of results of serological tests and diagnoses for 4774 cases of various autoimmune bullous diseases consulted to Kurume University.

Although many new disease entities of autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD) have recently been recognized, satisfactory immunological diagnostic methods and comprehensive classifications for various AIBDs have not been established.

Clinical and immunological profiles of 25 patients with pemphigoid gestationis

Systematic study of pemphigoid gestationis (PG) has not been performed owing to its rarity.

Distribution of enzymes of nucleic acid metabolism in cow snout epidermis

Certain enzymes participating in the degradation of DNA have been measured in cow snout epidermis, liver, kidney and intestinal epithelium. High activities were found in epidermis compared to other tissues.

A case of vancomycin-associated linear IgA bullous dermatosis and IgA antibodies to the α3 subunit of laminin-332

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a rare autoimmune bullous disease, which is defined by the histopathological finding of subepidermal vesicles with neutrophilic infiltration and linear IgA deposits in the basement membrane zone, revealed by immunofluorescence study. We present a case of LABD in which vancomycin (VCM) administration triggered LABD, and immunoblot analysis showed IgA antibodies reactive to the 145‐ and 165‐kDa α3 subunits of laminin‐332. This is the first report of VCM‐associated LABD in which the target antigen was laminin‐332. In the present case, we were compelled to continue administration of VCM along with systemic steroids, which eventually led to the attenuation of the symptoms, normalization of the serum IgA level, and negative results on both indirect immunofluorescence of 1 mol L−1 NaCl‐split skin and immunoblot analysis.

A successful treatment with ustekinumab in a case of antilaminin-γ1 pemphigoid associated with psoriasis.

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Clinical and immunological profiles in 17 Japanese patients with drug-induced pemphigus studied at Kurume University

Drug‐induced pemphigus (DIP) shows clinical, histopathological and immunological features of pemphigus. However, little is known about immunological profiles in DIP.