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What are Blistering Diseases?
Structure of the Skin
Inherited Blistering Diseases
Auto-Immune Blistering Diseases Structure of the skin
The skin has 2 layers called the epidermis (on the outside) and the dermis (the inner layer). The epidermis and dermis are joined together by a structure called the basement membrane.
Schematic Diagram of the Basement Membrane zone of the skin
by Prof Marcel Jonkman, University Medical Centre, Groningen, Netherlands.
The cells in the epidermis and dermis are glued together by molecules called adhesion proteins. Adhesion proteins do not work properly in blistering diseases, and this results in blisters and erosions.
Inherited blistering diseases are caused by mutations in the genes for the adhesion proteins of the skin.
Auto-immune blistering diseases are caused by antibodies made against the adhesion proteins of the skin.
Next >> Inherited Blistering Diseases
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