Abstract
Purpose::
BP180 is a molecule constitutive of hemidesmosomes. It is an important target of antibody response in ocular cicatricial pemhigoid (OCP) and other bullous diseases. Anti-BP180 antibodies can recognize different parts of the molecules. Our observation, based on microscopy imaging, suggested that an epitope coud be specific of the OCP. Therefore we investigated this hypothesis with recombinant protein.
Methods::
Two recombinant peptides were designed using pGEX plasmid expressed in E. Coli: the COOH protein is localized at the extremity of the extra cellular section of BP180 whereas the NH2 protein encompass the trans- and juxta membrane section. These peptides were used to setup two ELISA tests. The reactivity of serum of OCP patients (N=40) were compared to the one of bullous pemphigoid (BP) (83 patients).
Results::
The NH2 protein tested was a target of the immune response respectively for 50% of OCP patients and 68.8% of the BP patients. The COOH protein was a target in 9% of the OCP group and 25% of the BP group. The differences were not significant.
Conclusions::
The trans and juxta membrane region of BP180 protein is the major target of the antibody response. None of those proteins revealed to be a specific target of OCP. Nevertheless, these ELISA tests, based on recombinant protein, can be used as a tool for the diagnosis and the pathophysiology analysis of this disease.
Keywords: conjunctiva • cornea: basic science • genetics