Cholesterol depletion prevents PV IgG-induced Dsg3 redistribution and weakened adhesion.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Human keratinocytes with assembled desmosomes were treated with NH or PV IgG for 3 hrs either in the absence or presence of 1 mM mβCD. Dsg3 was detected by live labeling with AK15 for 30 min on ice. Keratinocytes treated with PV IgG exhibit disrupted Dsg3 staining (surface clustering and linear array formation). mβCD treatment prevented both Dsg3 clustering and linear array formation in response to PV IgG. (<b>B</b>) mβCD treatment protected desmosomes against PV IgG-induced fragmentation. Means ± SEM (<i>n</i> = 4–8 monolayers per group); *p<0.05. Scale bar in A, 10 µm.