A 45-year-old woman presents with painful oral erosions and flaccid blisters on the trunk that rupture easily. DIF of perilesional skin shows intercellular IgG deposits in the epidermis. Electron microscopy would show dissolution of which structure?
- A Hemidesmosomes
- B Adherens junctions
- C Desmosomes ✓
- D Gap junctions
Correct answer: C. Desmosomes
Explanation
Pemphigus vulgaris results from IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein-3 (and desmoglein-1 in mucocutaneous type). Desmogleins are cadherin-type transmembrane glycoproteins that form the core of desmosomes. Their dissolution leads to acantholysis — loss of cohesion between keratinocytes — and suprabasal blister formation. Hemidesmosomes are targeted in bullous pemphigoid, not pemphigus.
Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.