Localization of perforin in viral vesicles and erythema multiforme.

BACKGROUND

Perforin (Pf), a pore-forming protein, is a cytolytic protein of killer cells. Its deposition in lesioned skin has not been studied.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to show Pf deposition in the lesioned skin and Pf expression in the dermal infiltrates of various inflammatory skin diseases.

METHODS

Frozen specimens obtained from 29 patients with 5 different diseases were immunohistochemically stained.

RESULTS

Granular deposition of Pf was found in the lesioned skin in 2 out of 5 cases of viral vesicles and in 3 out of 7 cases of erythema multiforme. In the cases with Pf deposition, the percentages of Pf+ cells in the dermis were higher than in those without deposition.

CONCLUSION

Pf released from natural killer cells or cytotoxic T lymphocytes may play a role in tissue damage.