Demonstration of Immunoglobulin G in Normal Human Epidermis by Light and Electron Microscopy Using Peroxidase Labeled Antibody

Abstract

Distribution of immunoglobulins in normal human epidermis was revealed at both the light and electron microscopic levels using peroxidase labeled antibodies. Biopsy specimens were obtained from various body locations of 40 healthy persons from 2 to 82 years old under local anesthesia. There were three types of IgG staining patterns in normal human epidermis. Intraepidermal IgG was found in about 80% of the skin samples. IgG was localized in the cytosol of squamous cells by electron microscopy. There were no morphological differences between the IgG positive and IgG negative cells. There seemed to be a correlation between IgG staining and the IgG serum level. The results of the present study suggest that with highly sensitive immunohistochemical techniques, IgG can be detected not only in diseased skin but also in normal skin.in relation to local immunodefence of the skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS