T cells mediate autoantibody-induced cutaneous inflammation and blistering in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

AbstractT cells are key players in autoimmune diseases by supporting the production of autoantibodies. However, their contribution to the effector phase of antibody-mediated autoimmune dermatoses, i.e., tissue injury and inflammation of the skin, has not been investigated. In this paper, we demonstrate that T cells amplify the development of autoantibody-induced tissue injury in a prototypical, organ-specific autoimmune disease, namely epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) – characterized and caused by autoantibodies targeting type VII collagen. Specifically, we show that immune complex (IC)-induced inflammation depends on the presence of T cells – a process facilitated by T cell receptor (…