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Ständer S, Hammers CM, Vorobyev A, Schmidt E, Zillikens D, Ghorbanalipoor S, Bieber K, Ludwig RJ, Kridin K. The impact of lesional inflammatory cellular infiltrate on the phenotype of bullous pemphigoid. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35:1702-1711. [PMID: 33896060 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of cutaneous cellular infiltration on the phenotype of bullous pemphigoid (BP) remains to be established. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the main histopathological characteristics of patients with BP and to assess the association between the composition of lesional inflammatory infiltrate and the various clinical, immunological and immunopathological aspects of the disease. METHODS Retrospective study encompassing patients diagnosed with BP throughout the years 2009-2020 in a specialized tertiary referral centre. RESULTS The study encompassed 136 patients with BP, of whom 27 (19.9%) demonstrated a cell-poor inflammatory infiltrate in lesional skin specimens. Overall, 78 (57.4%), 71 (52.2%) and 5 (3.7%) specimens were found to include eosinophil-predominant, lymphocyte-predominant and neutrophil-predominant inflammatory infiltrates, respectively. Relative to the remaining patients with BP, those with an eosinophil-predominant inflammatory infiltrate had higher (90.8% vs. 77.2%; P = 0.030) whilst those with a cell-poor inflammatory infiltrate lower (70.3% vs. 88.7%; P = 0.017) seropositivity of anti-BP180 NC16A IgG. The latter subgroup presented with higher prevalence of mucosal involvement (25.9% vs. 8.3%; P = 0.011) and a non-inflammatory clinical phenotype (50.0% vs. 17.1%; P = 0.041). Patients with lymphocyte-predominant inflammatory infiltrate manifested with higher severity BPDAI scores and a lower frequency of the non-inflammatory subtype (11.1% vs. 36.4%; P = 0.035), whilst those with a neutrophilic infiltrate presented with lower mean (SD) levels of anti-BP180 NC16A IgG [269.3 (227.6) vs. 722.7 (1499.6) U/mL; P = 0.003]. CONCLUSIONS Eosinophil-predominance and high cellularity in the lesional inflammatory infiltrate of BP skin are associated with increased seropositivity of anti-BP180 NC16A IgG. Lymphocyte-predominant infiltrates predict a more severe phenotype, pointing towards a pathogenic role of autoreactive lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ständer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A Vorobyev
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - E Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lűbeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - D Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - S Ghorbanalipoor
- Lűbeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - K Bieber
- Lűbeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - R J Ludwig
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lűbeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - K Kridin
- Lűbeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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2
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Ständer S, Hammers CM, Vorobyev A, Schmidt E, Hundt JE, Sadik CD, Lange T, Zillikens D, Ludwig RJ, Kridin K. Coexistence of bullous pemphigoid with neuropsychiatric comorbidities is associated with anti-BP230 seropositivity. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35:2067-2073. [PMID: 33896070 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While clustering of bullous pemphigoid (BP) with neuropsychiatric diseases is well-established, the clinical and immunological profile of BP patients with this comorbidity remains to be decisively determined. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the burden of neurological and psychiatric comorbidities among patients with BP and to elucidate the clinical, immunological and immunopathological features of patients with BP and comorbid neuropsychiatric conditions. METHODS We performed a retrospective study encompassing patients diagnosed with BP throughout the years 2009-2020 in a specialized tertiary referral centre. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of neuropsychiatric conditions among patients with BP. RESULTS The study included 273 patients with BP, of whom 123 (45.1%) presented with comorbid neuropsychiatric disease. Compared to the remaining patients with BP (n = 150), those with pre-existing neuropsychiatric diseases demonstrated older mean [standard deviation (SD)] age [81.7 (9.1) vs. 76.9 (10.1); P < 0.001], female preponderance (65.0% vs. 49.3%; P = 0.009), higher seropositivity rate of anti-BP230 (67.7% vs. 36.5%; P = 0.006) and higher levels of anti-BP180 NC16A IgG [651.3 (1279.6) vs. 370.4 (818.6) U/mL; P = 0.039]. In multivariate analysis, anti-BP230 seropositivity was independently associated with coexistence of BP with neuropsychiatric conditions [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.43; 95% CI, 1.24-9.52; P = 0.018]. In a sensitivity analysis confined to patients with neurological diseases (n = 103), older age [82.1 (8.4) vs. 77.2 (10.3); P < 0.001] and increased anti-BP230 seropositivity (68.0% vs. 39.7%; P = 0.018) were identified. CONCLUSIONS The coexistence of BP with neuropsychiatric diseases is independently associated with the generation of anti-BP230 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ständer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A Vorobyev
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - E Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - J E Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C D Sadik
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - T Lange
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - D Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - R J Ludwig
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - K Kridin
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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van Beek N, Weidinger A, Schneider SW, Kleinheinz A, Gläser R, Holtsche MM, von Georg A, Hammers CM, Hübner F, Lima AL, Gola D, Sadik CD, Zillikens D, Katalinic A, Schmidt E, König IR. Incidence of pemphigoid diseases in Northern Germany in 2016 - first data from the Schleswig-Holstein Registry of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35:1197-1202. [PMID: 33428263 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBD) are rare disorders characterized by autoantibody formation against components of adhesion molecules; in pemphigoid diseases (PD), these are proteins of hemidesmosomes and basement membrane, important for cell-matrix adhesion in skin and/or mucous membranes. Incidences of these diseases vary considerably between different populations. OBJECTIVES To establish a registry prospectively recruiting all AIBD patients in a geographically well-defined region in Northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein). METHODS Only patients with verified disease (by clinical presentation, histology, direct and/or indirect immunofluorescence and /or ELISA) living in Schleswig-Holstein were included. Incidences of PD were estimated based on the total number of inhabitants in Schleswig-Holstein, stratified by birth year and sex. RESULTS Of 67 patients with PD [35 male, 32 female, mean age 75 (standard deviation 14.3 years)], 83% were patients with bullous pemphigoid [n = 56, 28 male, 28 female, mean age 78 (SD 9.9)]. The resulting crude incidences were 23.4 patients/million/year for all pemphigoid patients, 19.6 patients/million/year for bullous pemphigoid (age-standardized 16.9 patients/million/year) with a strong increase in bullous pemphigoid patients in the age group of 85-90 years with 262 patients/million/year. Incidences for bullous pemphigoid were higher in urban compared to rural areas. Other PD (mucous membrane pemphigoid, linear IgA disease, anti-p200 pemphigoid) were less frequent with crude incidences of 2.1, 1.0 and 0.7 patients/million/year, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study prospectively analyses the incidence of PD in a carefully defined geographical area. The highest incidence among PD patients was found for bullous pemphigoid. The incidence of bullous pemphigoid is considerably increased compared to previous reports and reveals regional differences. Further studies are needed in order to clarify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- N van Beek
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A Weidinger
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - S W Schneider
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Kleinheinz
- Department of Dermatology, Elbe Medical Center, Buxtehude, Germany
| | - R Gläser
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - M M Holtsche
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A von Georg
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - F Hübner
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A-L Lima
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - D Gola
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C D Sadik
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - D Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A Katalinic
- Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - E Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - I R König
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Shimanovich I, Baumann T, Schmidt E, Zillikens D, Hammers CM. Long-term outcomes of rituximab therapy in pemphigus. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34:2884-2889. [PMID: 32367562 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rituximab induces a rapid remission in most patients with pemphigus. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to assess the long-term efficacy of rituximab in this disease. METHOD We conducted a retrospective study of 59 patients with pemphigus treated with rituximab and observed over a median period of 104 months. RESULTS The rate of complete remission off therapy (CRoff) after the first rituximab cycle was 39%, increasing to 61% with additional rituximab courses. Long-term CRoff was achieved in 27% of patients. The recurrence rate after the first rituximab cycle was 63%, decreasing to approximately 40% with subsequent rituximab cycles. Median time to relapse after the first and subsequent rituximab cycles was 25 months. Renewed rituximab therapy reinduced complete remission in 94% of cases. Baseline anti-desmoglein antibody levels of ≤250 U/mL were significantly associated with the outcome of CRoff. In paired serum samples obtained before the first and six months after the last rituximab therapy, significant reductions of desmoglein-specific autoantibodies were observed. Patients relapsing after a complete remission induced by the first rituximab cycle were more likely to achieve CRoff than patients relapsing after a less favourable outcome and non-responders. There was no significant difference in age, sex, pemphigus subtype, rituximab dosing and disease duration between patients achieving CRoff and those not meeting this end point. CONCLUSIONS Lower desmoglein-specific antibody levels at baseline were predictive of CRoff. In patients receiving multiple rituximab cycles, complete remission after the first cycle was associated with a favourable long-term outcome. Repeated rituximab courses were highly effective for relapsed disease and improved the overall outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Shimanovich
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - T Baumann
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - E Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute for Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - D Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Lübeck Institute for Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Gutjahr A, Heck F, Emtenani S, Hammers AK, Hundt JE, Muck P, Siegel DL, Schmidt E, Stanley JR, Zillikens D, Hammers CM. Bullous pemphigoid autoantibody-mediated complement fixation is abolished by the low-molecular-weight heparin tinzaparin sodium. Br J Dermatol 2019; 181:593-594. [PMID: 31124130 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Gutjahr
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - F Heck
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - S Emtenani
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - A-K Hammers
- Flensburg Specialist Veterinary Centre for Small Animals, Flensburg, Germany
| | - J E Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - P Muck
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - D L Siegel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
| | - E Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - J R Stanley
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
| | - D Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C M Hammers
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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6
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Emtenani S, Yuan H, Lin C, Pan M, Hundt JE, Schmidt E, Komorowski L, Stanley JR, Hammers CM. Normal human skin is superior to monkey oesophagus substrate for detection of circulating BP180-NC16A-specific IgG antibodies in bullous pemphigoid. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:1099-1106. [PMID: 30315657 PMCID: PMC6462259 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.17313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disease. Two antigens have been identified as targets of circulating autoantibodies (autoAbs) - BP180 and BP230 - with BP180 being a critical transmembrane adhesion protein of basal keratinocytes of the epidermis. The noncollagenous domain 16A (NC16A) of BP180 is the immunodominant epitope in patients with BP, and anti-BP180-NC16A IgG antibodies (Abs) correlate to disease activity. Routine serological testing and follow-up of BP relies on indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) of serum Abs, commonly performed on monkey oesophagus (ME), and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing on recombinantly produced fragments of BP180 and BP230 (BP180-NC16A, BP230-C/N). OBJECTIVES To determine if NC16A epitopes are well represented on ME substrate. METHODS Sera from different BP cohorts were tested by IIF on ME and normal human skin (NHS). To confirm findings, affinity-purified anti-BP180-NC16A/BP230 polyclonal Abs and recombinant anti-BP180-NC16A/BP230 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were used. RESULTS For sensitive detection of BP180-NC16A-specific IgG Abs, sections of NHS are superior to the widely used ME. Confirmation comes from polyclonal affinity-purified anti-BP180-NC16A/BP230 Abs, and by mAbs cloned from a patient with active BP. CONCLUSIONS Use of NHS is preferable over ME in routine IIF testing for BP. These results are of clinical relevance because anti-BP180-NC16A IgG titres are correlated to disease activity and detecting them reliably is important for screening, diagnosis and follow-up of patients with BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Emtenani
- Luebeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - H. Yuan
- Dept. of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - C. Lin
- Dept. of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M. Pan
- Dept. of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - J. E. Hundt
- Luebeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - E. Schmidt
- Luebeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Dept. of Dermatology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - L. Komorowski
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, EUROIMMUN, Luebeck, Germany
| | - J. R. Stanley
- Dept. of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C. M. Hammers
- Luebeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Dept. of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Dermatology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Bldg. 10, Lübeck, D-23562, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd., 1009 BRB, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - A S Payne
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd., 1009 BRB, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
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Hammers CM, Stanley JR. Patients with pemphigus foliaceus may retain antibody reactivity against calcium-stabilized, distal desmoglein 1 domains in remission. Br J Dermatol 2016; 174:17-8. [PMID: 26790650 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Bldg 10, Lübeck, D-23562, Germany
| | - J R Stanley
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd, 1008 BRB, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
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