ABSTRACT
Antistratum corneum antibodies are ubiquitous IgG and IgM antibodies that fix complement and react specifically with antigens in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Sratum corneum antibodies (SCAb) are autoantibodies that exhibit specificity for the stratum corneum and for the keratinized and nonkeratinized surfaces of certain mucosae. Studies of stratum corneum antigen (SCAg) are less well developed than those of SCAb. Immunoflorescence studies were carried out using a fluorescein-labeled antihuman IgG conjugate, obtained from Meloy Laboratories, with a molar fluorescein to protein ratio of 2.9, used at a dilution of 1:64. Two patients with the X-linked genodermatosis, Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (AED), were studied to see whether eccrine sweat, which these patients lacked, plays any role in antistratum corneum antibody formation or in SCAg composition. Important differences in both SCAb and SCAg could be present in these AED patients which might not have been detectable by the techniques used in this study.
