Work

From Insect Bites to a Skin Autoimmune Disease: A Conceivable Pathway to Endemic Pemphigus Foliaceus

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: In the endemic variants of pemphigus foliaceus (PF), in Brazil and Tunisia, patients generate pathogenic IgG4 anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies. Additionally, these patients possess antibodies against salivary proteins from sand flies that react with Dsg1, which may lead to skin disease in susceptible individuals living in endemic areas. This minireview focuses on recent studies highlighting the possible role of salivary proteins from Lutzomyia longipalpis ( L. longipalpis ) in EPF from Brazil and Phlebotomus papatasi ( P. papatasi ) in EPF from Tunisia. We will briefly discuss the potential mechanisms of molecular mimicry and epitope spreading in the initiation and development of endemic PF (EPF) in Brazil and Tunisia.

Source: Frontiers in Immunology

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.907424

Authors: Ning Li, Valeria Aoki, Zhi Liu, Phillip Prisayanh, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Luis A. Diaz

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Universidade de São Paulo, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Language: English

Topic: Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,950