EFFECT OF SULFONES ON COMPLEMENT DEPOSITION IN DERMATITIS-HERPETIFORMIS AND ON COMPLEMENT-MEDIATED GUINEA-PIG REACTIONS

[摘要] The role of complement [C] and the mechanism of sulfone action in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are not yet established; prior studies presented conflicting data regarding the effect of sulfones on C activation and deposition. Thirty-eight DH patients were studied. Twenty-four of 25 perilesional skin biopsies and 50 of 67 normal-appearing skin biopsies showed the 3rd component of C (C3) deposited in areas corresponding to those of IgA [immunoglobulin A] deposition. Nine of 10 patients with bound C3 in normal-appearing and perilesional skin during periods of active disease continued to have C3 in normal-appearing skin when treatment with sulfones kept them completely free of lesions for 2-8 wk. When Hartley-strain or C4-deficient guinea pigs were given up to 150 mg/kg sulfoxone (a water-soluble sulfone) i.p. for 8 days before elicitation of active Arthus, reverse passive Arthus reactions or Forssman shock, there was no difference in time course, character or intensity of reactions when compared to saline-treated control animals. There was no demonstrable effect of sulfones on C deposition in DH skin or on C activation in classical or alternate C pathway-mediated guinea-pig reactions.