Epidermal antigens.

Autoantibodies in man may develop to antigens present in all of the major anatomical areas of the epidermis, namely the nuclei and cytoplasm of keratinocytes, the dermal-epidermal junction, the intercellular substance, and the stratum corneum. The antigens in all of these areas are polymorphic. Some are unique to man and to skin, others are present in other mammals and in other tissues. The biochemical nature of these antigens is mostly unknown. Several appear to be products of epidermal cell differentiation. Humoral immune reactions to some intercellular antigens is associated with pemphigus, to some basement zone antigens with bullous pemphigoid, and to some, cytoplasmic antigens with malignancies. The clinical significance of antibodies to the other epidermal antigens is still to be determined.