The role of antibody class and target on subepidermal blistering disease phenotype and management.

Abstract

Subepidermal blistering diseases are driven by autoantibodies targeted to the basement membrane zone. These autoantibodies can stem from multiple antibody classes (e.g., IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA) and differing antibody classes and antibody targets can impact disease phenotype and potentially management. Despite significant advances, there remains a paucity of data and funding for further elucidating subepidermal blistering disease pathophysiology and the impact this has on management. This review highlights current understanding of subepidermal blistering disease antibody targets, classes, and the impact these have on disease clinical phenotype and management. Highlighted conditions will include bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, including ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, linear IgA disease, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.