Role of T cells in the pathogenesis of mucous membrane pemphigoid

There are a number of autoimmune subepidermal blistering disorders in which the presence of autoantibodies has been well documented. These include pemphigoid gestationis, linear immunoglobulin A disease, bullous pemphigoid, lichen planus pemphigoides and mucous membrane pemphigoid. The antibodies involved in these diseases are commonly directed against protein components of the basement membrane zone. The requirement for T cells in the production of autoantibodies, the infiltration of T cells into lesions and HLA-associations have led to a number of investigations into the role of T cells in these diseases. This review will concentrate on the evidence for the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of mucous membrane pemphigoid