Histochemical Study on the Pathogenesis of Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita

Abstract

Tissue changes in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita were investigated by histological and histochemical methods. In an attempt to identify acid mucopolysac-charides, staining was carried out with alcian blue solutions containing different concentrations of electrolytes. Methylation, saponification and digestion by hyaluronidase, sialidase and diastase were also applied. The alteration of collagen was examined by the luxol fast blue, trichrome and sulfation toluidine blue methods. The most striking abnormalities of the skin, whether clinically involved or not, were an increase of dermatan sulfate and a decrease of luxol fast bluepositive collagen and oxytalan fibers in the upper dermis. The pathogenesis of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita was discussed on the basis of these results.