CYTOPLASMIC DIFFERENTIATION ANTIGENS OF HUMAN EPIDERMAL-CELLS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (6) , 392-396
Abstract
Three immunologically distinct types of cytoplasmic antigens were expressed concurrently in normal human skin. These antigens were tissue but not species specific and differed by their location in different subpopulations of cells. One type was present only in the superficial layers of the epidermis, another only in basal cells, and the third was present in all keratinocytes. All subjects studied to date had all 3 types of antigens in their skin. There seemed to be 2 subgroups of antigens of each type. One subgroup consisted of antigens expressed universally in all subjects. The other consisted of a family of variably expressed antigens which were common to some but not all persons. They may represent genetically determined alloantigens different from HLA. The superficial and basal cell antigens were absent or greatly decreased in expression in malignant, but not in benign, tumors of the epidermis. This finding, along with the stratification of the antigens in different layers of the skin, suggested that epidermal cytoplasmic antigens were differentiation antigens.

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