PMC6170650_01
(A) Histological examination of a gingival biopsy showing subepithelial cleavage with overlying intact epithelium. A moderate perivascular infiltration can be observed consisting of lymphocytes and histiocytes, and no lichenoid infiltrate. (B) Direct immunofluorescence microscopic image showing linear IgG (++) and C3 (++) immune deposits along the basement membrane zone on the gingival biopsy.
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F1
Gingival biopsy showed a subepithelial cleavage with the overlying intact epithelium (Figure 1A). Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy revealed linear IgG (++) and C3 (++) immune deposits along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) (Figure 1B).
Direct immunoelectron microscopy showing immune deposits (arrow) strictly localized in the lamina densa. Ke, keratinocyte; LL, lamina lucida; AF, anchoring fibril.
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F2
Further immunological investigations demonstrated that the immune deposits identified using direct immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) were strictly localized in the lamina densa (Figure 2), a site consistent with autoantibodies against the laminin 332 or the C-terminal extremity of BP180 antigen (BP180).