Object of the thesis is the expression of C5aR1 and C5aR2 in different immune cells in lesional and perilesional skin biopsies of patients with bullous pemphigoid in comparison to individuals without bullous pemphigoid. C5aR1 and C5aR2 are receptors of the complement factor C5a.

Activation of the C5aR1 favors the development of the disease, while the C5aR2 is considered to have an inhibitory effect on the disease. The main effector cells of the C5a effect or the expression profile of the complement factor receptors has still to be characterized. This may evolve new effective starting points for therapeutics, such as C5aR1 antagonists or C5aR2 agonists, against the bullous pemphigoid.