Figure 2. PKP-1 protects desmosomal components from disruption by PV IgG.
Keratinocytes expressing empty vector (EV) or PKP-1.myc were treated with NH or PV IgG for 24 hours. (a–d) The mAb AK15 was used live to detect cell surface Dsg3 and total myc was detected after methanol fixation (a′–d′). (e) Quantification of Dsg3 fluorescence intensity at cell-cell borders. Data are mean percentages normalized to EV and PKP-1 NH IgG controls. Mean ± SEM (n= 50 borders per group); *** p < 0.001 compared with EV-NH IgG, ♦ compared with EV-PV IgG and PKP-1.myc-NH IgG (Two-way ANOVA, Holm-Sidak method). (f–i) Cells were briefly pre-extracted prior to fixation and immunostained for DP (green, f′–i′), cytokeratin (keratin, red, f″–i″) and myc (f′″–i′″). Data represent four independent experiments. Scale bars, 20Hm.