Objective: To observe the time-course changes of desmosome and its dg2/3 component in the process of acantholysis.
Method: After setting up a pemphigus organ model and an acantholysis model by purified pemphigus autoantibody, the desmosome structures at light and electromicroscopic levels and desmoglycoprotein dg2/3 immunohistochemical stains were observed at different culture times.
Results: In pemphigus organ model and acantholysis model, pemphigus autoantibody only induced the increase of the intercellular space at 24 hour. Even at 48 hour, only a few desmosomes were damaged. But by 72 hour, the structures of desmosomes almost completely disappeared, and the cell membrane flattened. Immunohistochemical stains showed that there was an internalization of desmoglycoprotein dg2/3 at 48 and 72 hour during the process of acantholysis.
Conclusion: Our results suggested that the influence of pemphigus autoantibody on desmosomes appears at a relative later stage, but the damage of desmosomes is a pivotal step to acantholysis.