Desmosomes are adhesive intercellular junctions prominent in the skin and heart. Loss of
desmosome function is associated with severe congenital and acquired disorders
characterized by tissue fragility. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disorder in
which antibodies are directed against the desmosomal adhesion molecule Dsg3, resulting
in severe mucosal erosions and epidermal blistering. To define the mechanisms by which
Dsg3 autoantibodies disrupt keratinocyte adhesion, the fate of PV IgG and various …