Evaluation of E-Cadherin Expression in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris via Immunohistochemistry

Abstract

Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune bullous diseases that can affect the skin and mucous membranes, and it is vital to recognize the exact pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to investigate the role of E-cadherin in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and compare the expression of E-cadherin in the lesions of PV patients with that in healthy individuals’ skin. Thirty tissue samples from histopathologically confirmed PV patients as the case group and 30 skin samples from healthy individuals as the control group were evaluated for E-cadherin expression via the immunohistochemical method. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25; chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests were used to examine the relationship between qualitative variables. Immunohistochemical staining revealed decreased E-cadherin expression in the basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis of PV patients compared with healthy individuals ( $P<0.001$ ). E-cadherin expression was 1+ in 53.3% of patients, 2+ in 40% of patients, and 3+ in only one (3.3%) patient. On the other hand, the expression of E-cadherin in other layers of the epidermis was 1+ in one patient, 2+ in five patients (25%), and 3+ in 14 patients (70%). Also, the expression of E-cadherin in all layers of the epidermis was 3+ in all controls. E-cadherin expression in the basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis appears to be lower in patients with PV compared with controls. Therefore, E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining helps diagnose PV along with other diagnostic methods. Moreover, these findings may shed light on the role of E-cadherin as a potential target for disease treatment aiming at disease stabilization. However, more studies are needed to clarify this issue.