Overview of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Abstract

Pemphigus is originated from the Greek word pemphix meaning bubble or blister. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening chronic autoimmune disease where the serum autoantibodies respond to the cell surface antigens resulting in a loss of epidermal cell cohesion. This can be characterized as the manifestation of circulating autoantibodies against the intercellular adhesion structures, desmosomal protein desmoglein (DSG) 3, and in some cases DSG1. However, there is accumulating evidence that indicates that pemphigus vulgaris also targets other, nondesmoglein, molecules. The functional role of these other specificities and their impact on disease expression are yet to be fully elucidated.