How is acantholysis?

➢ The common histologic denominator in all forms of pemphigusis acantholysis, lysis of the intercellular adhesive junctions between neighboring squamous epithelial cells that results in the rounding up of detached cells. ▪ In pemphigus vulgaris, acantholysis selectively involves the layer of cells immediately above the basal cell layer, giving rise to a suprabasal acantholytic blister. ▪ In pemphigus foliaceus, acantholysis selectively involves the superficial epidermis at the level of the stratum granulosum ➢ Variable superficial dermal infiltrates composed of lc,MP, eosinophils, accompany all forms of pemphigus. ➢ By direct IF study, lesional sites show a characteristic fishnetlike pattern of intercellular IgG deposits