The authors acknowledge support by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SI-1281/4-1 and BIOSS from the Medical Faculty of the Freiburg University (to CS).

1. Preparation of Pathogenic Antibody 
Note: Purification and concentration of the antibodies should be performed on the same day, as antibodies are not to be stored in 0.1 M glycine pH 2.5-3 (elution buffer) over night (ON).
Affinity purification of IgG: use 25 ml of immune rabbit serum:
<ol>
 <li>Thaw the rabbit serum ON at 4 &deg;C, mix it 1:1 with 1xPBS (running buffer) and centrifuge it at 1260 x g for 10 min at 20 &deg;C. Optionally, a filtering step with f...

<ol>
	<li>Sitaru, C., Mihai, S., Otto, C., Chiriac, M. T., Hausser, I., Dotterweich, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+dermal-epidermal+separation+in+mice+by+passive+transfer+of+antibodies+specific+to+type+VII+collagen.">Induction of dermal-epidermal separation in mice by passive transfer of antibodies specific to type VII collagen.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 115, 870-878 (2005).</li><li>Kopecki, Z., Arkell, R. M., Strudwick, X. L., Hirose, M., Ludwig, R. J., Kern, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Overexpression+of+the+Flii+gene+increases+dermal-epidermal+blistering+in+an+autoimmune+ColVII+mouse+model+of+epidermolysis+bullosa+acquisita.">Overexpression of the Flii gene increases dermal-epidermal blistering in an autoimmune ColVII mouse model of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.</a> J. Pathol. 225, 401-413 (2011).</li><li>Kulkarni, S., Sitaru, C., Jakus, Z., Anderson, K. E., Damoulakis, G., Davidson, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PI3K&#946;+plays+a+critical+role+in+neutrophil+activation+by+immune+complexes.">PI3K&#946; plays a critical role in neutrophil activation by immune complexes.</a> Sci. Signal. 4, 23-23 (2011).</li><li>Chiriac, M. T., Roesler, J., Sindrilaru, A., Scharffetter-Kochanek, K., Zillikens, D., Sitaru, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NADPH+oxidase+is+required+for+neutrophil-dependent+autoantibody-induced+tissue+damage.">NADPH oxidase is required for neutrophil-dependent autoantibody-induced tissue damage.</a> J. Pathol. 212, 56-65 (2007).</li><li>Mihai, S., Chiriac, M. T., Takahashi, K., Thurman, J. M., Holers, V. M., Zillikens, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+alternative+pathway+of+complement+activation+is+critical+for+blister+induction+in+experimental+epidermolysis+bullosa+acquisita.">The alternative pathway of complement activation is critical for blister induction in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.</a> J. Immunol. 178, 6514-6521 (2007).</li><li>Sesarman, A., Sitaru, A. G., Olaru, F., Zillikens, D., Sitaru, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neonatal+Fc+receptor+deficiency+protects+from+tissue+injury+in+experimental+epidermolysis+bullosa+acquisita.">Neonatal Fc receptor deficiency protects from tissue injury in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.</a> J. Mol. Med. 86, 951-959 (2008).</li><li>Huang, X. R., Holdsworth, S. R., Tipping, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Th2+responses+induce+humorally+mediated+injury+in+experimental+anti-glomerular+basement+membrane+glomerulonephritis.">Th2 responses induce humorally mediated injury in experimental anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis.</a> J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 8, 1101-1108 (1997).</li><li>Matsumoto, I., Staub, A., Benoist, C., Mathis, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arthritis+provoked+by+linked+T+and+B+cell+recognition+of+a+glycolytic+enzyme.">Arthritis provoked by linked T and B cell recognition of a glycolytic enzyme.</a> Science. 286, 1732-1735 (1999).</li><li>Oswald, E., Sesarman, A., Franzke, C., W&#246;lfle, U., Bruckner-Tuderman, L., Jakob, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+flavonoid+luteolin+inhibits+Fc&#947;-dependent+respiratory+burst+in+granulocytes,+but+not+skin+blistering+in+a+new+model+of+pemphigoid+in+adult+mice.">The flavonoid luteolin inhibits Fc&#947;-dependent respiratory burst in granulocytes, but not skin blistering in a new model of pemphigoid in adult mice.</a> PLoS One. 7, e31066 (2012).</li><li>Liu, Z., Diaz, L. A., Troy, J. L., Taylor, A. F., Emery, D. J., Fairley, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+passive+transfer+model+of+the+organ-specific+autoimmune+disease,+bullous+pemphigoid,+using+antibodies+generated+against+the+hemidesmosomal+antigen,+BP180.">A passive transfer model of the organ-specific autoimmune disease, bullous pemphigoid, using antibodies generated against the hemidesmosomal antigen, BP180.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 92, 2480-2488 (1993).</li><li>Anhalt, G. J., Labib, R. S., Voorhees, J. J., Beals, T. F., Diaz, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+pemphigus+in+neonatal+mice+by+passive+transfer+of+IgG+from+patients+with+the+disease.">Induction of pemphigus in neonatal mice by passive transfer of IgG from patients with the disease.</a> N. Engl. J. Med. 306, 1189-1196 (1982).</li><li>Toyka, K. V., Brachman, D. B., Pestronk, A., Kao, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myasthenia+gravis:+passive+transfer+from+man+to+mouse.">Myasthenia gravis: passive transfer from man to mouse.</a> Science. 190, 397-399 (1975).</li><li>Rose, N. R., Bona, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Defining+criteria+for+autoimmune+diseases+(Witebsky's+postulates+revisited.">Defining criteria for autoimmune diseases (Witebsky's postulates revisited.</a> Immunol. Today. 14, 426-430 (1993).</li><li>Sitaru, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+models+of+epidermolysis+bullosa+acquisita.">Experimental models of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.</a> Exp. Dermatol. 16, 520-531 (2007).</li><li>Sitaru, C., Kromminga, A., Hashimoto, T., Br&#246;cker, E. B., Zillikens, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autoantibodies+to+type+VII+collagen+mediate+Fcgamma-dependent+neutrophil+activation+and+induce+dermal-epidermal+separation+in+cryosections+of+human+skin.">Autoantibodies to type VII collagen mediate Fcgamma-dependent neutrophil activation and induce dermal-epidermal separation in cryosections of human skin.</a> Am. J. Pathol. 161, 301-311 (2002).</li><li>Sesarman, A., Oswald, E., Chiriac, M. T., Csorba, K., Vuta, V., Feldrihan, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Why+human+pemphigoid+autoantibodies+do+not+trigger+disease+by+the+passive+transfer+into+mice.">Why human pemphigoid autoantibodies do not trigger disease by the passive transfer into mice.</a> Immunol. Lett. , (2012).</li><li>Ishii, N., Recke, A., Mihai, S., Hirose, M., Hashimoto, T., Zillikens, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autoantibody-induced+intestinal+inflammation+and+weight+loss+in+experimental+epidermolysis+bullosa+acquisita.">Autoantibody-induced intestinal inflammation and weight loss in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.</a> J. Pathol. 224, 234-244 (2011).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

The passive transfer of autoantibodies into experimental animals is a major approach for demonstrating their pathogenicity 7, -12. Animal models obtained through this method, in addition to being the indirect evidence for autoimmunity 13, allow the investigation of the efferent phase of the pathogenic mechanism. The passive transfer model of antibody-induced granulocyte-dependent skin blistering of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) was used to dissect the mechanisms of tissue damage in autoimmun...

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the 			reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>recombinant antigen </td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>The 			plasmids encoding for the recombinant forms of murine collagen VII 			are available from the corresponding author. </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>immune rabbit serum</td>
 <td><a href="http://www.eurogentec.com/" target="_blank">www.eurogentec.com</a></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>We 			had New Zealand White rabbits immunized with 200 &mu;g of antigen, 3 			times at 2 week intervals. For this purpose we have used the 			services of Eurogentec S.A., Belgium.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Protein G agarose</td>
 <td>Roche Applied 			Science</td>
 <td>11243233001</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Balb/c mice</td>
 <td>Charles River 			Laboratories</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>OCT 			compound, Tissue-Tek</td>
 <td>Sakura 			Finetek </td>
 <td>4583</td>
 <td>OCT, optimal 			cutting temperature</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cryomold 			standard</td>
 <td>Sakura 			Finetek</td>
 <td>4557</td>
 <td>25 			mm &times; 20 			mm &times; 5 			mm</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cryomold 			intermediate</td>
 <td>Sakura 			Finetek</td>
 <td>4566</td>
 <td>15 			mm &times; 15 			mm &times; 5 			mm</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Uni-Link-Einbettkassette</td>
 <td>R. Langenbrinck</td>
 <td>09-0503</td>
 <td>Histology 			processing and embedding cassettes</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Spezial-Tatowierfarbe 			Schwarz</td>
 <td>H. Hauptnerund &amp; 			Richard Herberholz GmbH &amp; Co. KG</td>
 <td>71492000</td>
 <td>tattooing 			paste</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tatowierzange TZ1</td>
 <td>EBECO E. Becker &amp; 			Co GmbH</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>tattooing device</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Heparin</td>
 <td>Carl Roth GmbH &amp; 			Co.</td>
 <td>7692.1</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Formaldehyde 37%</td>
 <td>Carl Roth GmbH &amp; 			Co.</td>
 <td>7386</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Ketamine 			hydrochloride</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich 			Chemie GmbH</td>
 <td>K2753-1G</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Xylazine 			hydrochloride</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich 			Chemie GmbH</td>
 <td>X1251-1G</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>sterile PBS</td>
 <td>Biochrom</td>
 <td>L182-50</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>digital camera</td>
 <td>Nikon </td>
 <td>Coolpix 5400</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Syringe driven 			filter unit 0.45 &mu;m</td>
 <td>Millipore</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Caliper </td>
 <td>Mitutoyo 7309</td>
 <td>1667338</td>
 <td>Farnell 			(distributor)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>disease scoring 			sheet</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>example enclosed </td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

granulocyte-dependent autoantibody-induced skin blistering

Autoimmune phenomena occur in healthy individuals, but when self-tolerance fails, the autoimmune response may result in specific pathology. According to Witebsky's postulates, one of the criteria in diagnosing a disease as autoimmune is the reproduction of the disease in experimental animals by the passive transfer of autoantibodies. For epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), a prototypic organ-specific autoimmune disease of skin and mucous membranes, several experimental models were recently established. In the animal model described in our present work, purified IgG antibodies against a stretch of 200 amino acids (aa 757-967) of collagen VII are injected repeatedly into mice reproducing the blistering phenotype as well as the histo- and immunopathological features characteristic to human EBA 1. Full-blown widespread disease is usually seen 5-6 days after the first injection and the extent of the disease correlates with the dose of the administered collagen VII-specific IgG. The tissue damage (blister formation) in the experimental EBA is depending on the recruitment and activation of granulocytes by tissue-bound autoantibodies 2,-4. Therefore, this model allows for the dissection of the granulocyte-dependent inflammatory pathway involved in the autoimmune tissue damage, as the model reproduces only the T cell-independent phase of the efferent autoimmune response. Furthermore, its value is underlined by a number of studies demonstrating the blister-inducing potential of autoantibodies in vivo and investigating the mechanism of the blister formation in EBA 1,3,-6. Finally, this model will greatly facilitate the development of new anti-inflammatory therapies in autoantibody-induced diseases. Overall, the passive transfer animal model of EBA is an accessible and instructive disease model and will help researchers to analyze not only EBA pathogenesis but to answer fundamental biologically and clinically essential autoimmunity questions.

The passive transfer of antigen specific antibodies results in a full blown disease in mice, resembling at clinical, histological and immunopathological levels the human EBA. Blisters, crusts, erosions and alopecia develop on the ears, snout, paws, legs, back and around the eyes of the mice. The first clinical signs of the disease will most probably appear on the ears and/or head area. Deposition of specific rabbit IgG, and mouse complement C3 is detected by direct IF at the dermal epidermal junction in cryosections of p...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering at JoVE.com

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering

In the animal model described in our present work, purified IgG antibodies against a stretch of 200 amino acids (aa 757-967) of collagen VII are injected repeatedly into mice reproducing the blistering phenotype as well as the histo- and immunopathological features characteristic to human epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA)1.

Autoimmune phenomena occur in healthy individuals, but when self-tolerance fails, the autoimmune response may result in specific pathology. According to ...

granulocyte-dependent-autoantibody-induced-skin-blistering

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

10.4K visualizações.  University of Freiburg. No modelo animal descrito no nosso trabalho, purificou anticorpos IgG contra uma extensão de 200 aminoácidos (aa 757-967) de colagénio VII são injectados repetidamente em ratinhos que reproduzem o fenótipo empolar, bem como a histo-e imunopatológicas características de humano epidermólise bolhosa adquirida (EBA) 1.