Demonstration of Tissue-Specific Soluble Antigens in Human Skin by Immunodiffusion

Abstract

Summary Antisera to soluble preparation of human skin were prepared in rabbits and used to determine antigenic components of human skin and to compare these with antigens of other human organs and tissues by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. There were several antigens which were common to the skin, liver, kidney, lung, gastric mucosa, spleen, heart, brain, cornea, lens and uvea which were different from serum antigens. After absorption of the antisera with human serum and several organ antigens, three precipitation lines were recognized which were specific to skin and which were not observed in tests with skin preparations of dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse. The major human skin-specific antigen was stable to heat of 70°C for 3 min and to dialysis to 0.01 M phosphate buffer solution. These skin-specific antigens are considered to be present in the epidermis.