[Frontiers in Bioscience 2, d343-352, July 15, 1997]

	[Frontiers in Bioscience 2, d343-352, July 15, 1997] Reprints PubMed CAVEAT LECTOR
	HUMAN SKIN BASEMENT MEMBRANE IN HEALTH AND IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES Lawrence S. Chan Medicine Service, Section of Dermatology, Lakeside Division, VA Chicago Health Care System, and Division of Immunodermatology, Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, 300 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611 Received 7/3/97 Accepted 7/10/97 2. INTRODUCTION Skin BMZ is originally defined histologically by a 0.5-1.0mm-thick band-like structure situated between epithelium and the underlying tissue that is positively stained by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain (1). Subsequently, ultrastructural studies have identified multiple distinct structural components in the BMZ area. Among them, there are hemidesmosome, anchoring filament, anchoring fibril, lamina lucida, and lamina densa (1). Biochemical and molecular biological studies had further revealed the individual proteins that compose these ultrastructural components (1). Interestingly, some of the components were discovered or isolated because they became targets of autoimmune reactions: bullous pemphigoid antigens, type VII collagen, and p105 (2-6). As a result of studying autoimmune diseases, we now have a better understanding of the normal structure and function of skin BMZ. This article will illustrate this point. In addition, well-characterized BMZ components and their functions will be discussed. Moreover, subepidermal blistering diseases characterized by autoantibodies targeting the BMZ components will be reviewed.

[Frontiers in Bioscience 2, d343-352, July 15, 1997]
Reprints
PubMed
CAVEAT LECTOR

HUMAN SKIN BASEMENT MEMBRANE IN HEALTH AND IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Lawrence S. Chan
Medicine Service, Section of Dermatology, Lakeside Division, VA Chicago Health Care System, and Division of Immunodermatology, Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, 300 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611

Received 7/3/97 Accepted 7/10/97

2. INTRODUCTION

Skin BMZ is originally defined histologically by a 0.5-1.0mm-thick band-like structure situated between epithelium and the underlying tissue that is positively stained by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain (1). Subsequently, ultrastructural studies have identified multiple distinct structural components in the BMZ area. Among them, there are hemidesmosome, anchoring filament, anchoring fibril, lamina lucida, and lamina densa (1). Biochemical and molecular biological studies had further revealed the individual proteins that compose these ultrastructural components (1). Interestingly, some of the components were discovered or isolated because they became targets of autoimmune reactions: bullous pemphigoid antigens, type VII collagen, and p105 (2-6). As a result of studying autoimmune diseases, we now have a better understanding of the normal structure and function of skin BMZ. This article will illustrate this point. In addition, well-characterized BMZ components and their functions will be discussed. Moreover, subepidermal blistering diseases characterized by autoantibodies targeting the BMZ components will be reviewed.