Desmoglein Compensation Theory: An explanations for Early Appearance of Oral Lesions as Compared to Skin Lesions in Pemphigus Vulgaris

Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease targeting skin and mucous membranes. It is clinically characterized by flaccid blisters and erosions, while histologically shows intraepithelial acantholysis.  The disruption of desmoglein-dependent cell adhesion by autoantibodies is the basic pathophysiology in blister formation of pemphigus. The clinical and histological spectrum of pemphigus is complex and differs in various variants of pemphigus. This review offers an answer to why the splits associated with pemphigus foliaceus occur in the superficial layer of the epidermis, while those of pemphigus vulgaris occur deep in the epidermis. With the help of desmoglein compensation theory, it logically explains why oral erosions develop in patients with pemphigus vulgaris, but not in patients with pemphigus foliaceus and why some patients with pemphigus vulgaris have only oral involvement, but others have extensive lesions on both skin and mucous membranes. Learning objective: After completing this article, readers shall be familiar with the clinical presentations, histologic findings, immunopathology  of classical pemphigus and its  variants. It discusses the  desmoglein compensation theory of pathogenesis. along with the management of pemphigus.