Pathogenesis

  • T-cell mediated autoimmune attack against keratinocytes in genetically predisposed patients, either due to alteration of epidermal cell epitopes secondary to exposure to a trigger, or due to the generation of auto-reactive T cells
  • Keratinocyte apoptosis is thought to be mediated by CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity involving:
  • Interferon-γ
  • Fas/FasL expression
  • Perforin/granzyme B