Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-168) and index.
Contents
Current knowledge on pemphigus pathophysiology -- Patients, sera, and experimental models -- Optimization of the experimental procedures : semi-quantitative LCIF microscopy, C-HSU buffer, and KAD medium -- Study of anti-desmoglein autoimmunity : pemphigus as a desmoglein-remodeling disease -- Role on non-desmoglein and non-igg in pemphigus -- Downstream signaling involved in acantholysis : I. changes in cell cycle and protein phosphorylation -- Downstream signaling involved in acantholysis : II. secretion of proteinases and the specific proteolysis hypothesis of pemphigus -- Microarray analysis of diseased tissues : cell adhesion is down-regulated on the gene level in pemphigus -- Pharmacological block of acantholysis : towards novel therapies for the treatment of pemphigus.