Abstract: Objective: To detect the expression of TLR4 and CXCR4 in peripheral blood and skin lesions of patients with pemphigus, and to analyze their potential role in the pathological mechanism of pemphigus. Methods: The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and skin lesions were collected from 15 patients with pemphigus before treatment and 13 healthy controls. The expression of TLR4 and CXCR4 were detected in skin by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Meanwhile, the frequencies of TLR4+CXCR4+ plasma cells (PCs) were detected by flow cytometry. Results: The expression of TLR4 and CXCR4 increased in the lesions of patients with pemphigus. The frequencies of circulating Lin-CD27+CD38+CD138+PC (3.26±1.90) in patients was high than that in health controls (1.38±0.89), with a significant difference (P<0.05). The frequencies of circulating TLR4+CXCR4+ plasma cells (PCs) (14.23±8.69) was high than that in health controls  (6.74±2.95), with a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression of TLR4 and CXCR4 in pemphigus are significantly high, which may play a promoting role in the pathological process of the disease.

Key words: pemphigus, plasma cell, TLR4, CXCR4