Heterogeneity of pemphigus vulgaris antigens.

The immunologic specificity of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) antigens was studied by serologic analysis. Serum samples of 19 patients with PV antibodies were tested for reactivity with seven specimens of normal human skin by indirect immunofluorescence. Some PV antibodies reacted to antigens expressed in all specimens of skin, while others reacted to antigens expressed in only some specimens of skin. This was not due to differences in the titer of PV antibodies among serum samples or to regional variation or individual-to-individual fluctuations in the expression of a single PV antigen. The patterns of cross-reactivity suggest that PV antigens are heterogeneous. Two different groups can be defined serologically: (1) a "major" (PV) antigen expressed in all individuals, antibodies to which are the most common in PV; (2) a family of "minor" PV antigens whose expression varies from individual to individual. Several immunologically distinct PV antigens are expressed concurrently in the same specimen of skin.