The role of autoimmunity targeting epithelial antigens in asthma has been suggested, in particular in non-atopic and severe asthma. Periplakin, a desmosomal component, is involved in epithelial cohesion and intracellular signaling. We detected anti-periplakin IgG antibodies in 47/260 (18 %) patients with asthma, with no association with severity or atopy. In addition, anti-periplakin IgE antibodies were detected in 12 of 138 tested patients (8.7 %) and were more frequently observed in patients with than without nasal polyposis. This study identifies a new autoimmune epithelial target in asthma. Whether periplakin autoimmunity (both IgG and IgE auto-antibodies) is involved in asthma pathogenesis remains to be studied during the disease course of these patients.
Keywords: Airway epithelium; Asthma; Autoimmunity; Desmosome; Nasal polyposis.