Associated TP27: Cloning of human autoantibodies and characterization of their pathophysiologic impact in IgA-mediated pemphigus

IgA pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering skin disease characterized by detection of tissue-bound and circulating IgA autoantibodies against cell surface proteins of epidermal keratinocytes. Little is known about the exact pathomechanisms resulting in tissue pathology, and no disease model or antigen-specific monoclonal IgA antibody has been described so far for this condition. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms of antibody pathogenicity are difficult to characterize using polyclonal patient sera.

To facilitate dissection of pathomechanisms involved, we will use the high-throughput technique antibody phage display to clone, select and characterize antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from IgA pemphigus patients’ IgA B-cell repertoires. Detailed characterization of these mAbs should lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease and help in developing more targeted therapeutic approaches against this treatment-resistant disorder.