Ultrastructural study of the epidermal desmosomal cell junctions in apparently normal paralesional skin in pemphigus valgaris

ABSTRACT

Skin biopsies were taken from ten patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris, and from five normal persons as well. The biopsies were immediately fixed and processed for examination by transmission electron microscope. In all specimens, most of desmosomal junctions between prickle and basal cells appeared normal. In few scattered acantholytic areas, mainly in lower layers of stratum spinosum, desmosomal junctions showed variable changes associated with partial dissolution of the intercellular cement substance. The hemidesmosomes, at the basal cell-basal lamina junctions, were preserved