case_images: PMC6170650_01
case_images: (A) Histological examination of a gingival biopsy showing subepithelial cleavage with overlying intact epithelium. A moderate perivascular infiltration can be observed consisting of lymphocytes and histiocytes, and no lichenoid infiltrate. (B) Direct immunofluorescence microscopic image showing linear IgG (++) and C3 (++) immune deposits along the basement membrane zone on the gingival biopsy.
case_images: fmed-05-00268-g0001.jpg
case_images: PMC6170650_01_fmed-05-00268-g0001.jpg
case_images: F1
case_images: Gingival biopsy showed a subepithelial cleavage with the overlying intact epithelium (Figure 1A). Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy revealed linear IgG (++) and C3 (++) immune deposits along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) (Figure 1B).
case_images: Direct immunoelectron microscopy showing immune deposits (arrow) strictly localized in the lamina densa. Ke, keratinocyte; LL, lamina lucida; AF, anchoring fibril.
case_images: fmed-05-00268-g0002.jpg
case_images: PMC6170650_01_fmed-05-00268-g0002.jpg
case_images: F2
case_images: Further immunological investigations demonstrated that the immune deposits identified using direct immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) were strictly localized in the lamina densa (Figure 2), a site consistent with autoantibodies against the laminin 332 or the C-terminal extremity of BP180 antigen (BP180).