Fig 2: IL-17RA and IL-17RC mRNA expressions were increased in monocytes isolated from blood of patients with BP. The mRNA expression of IL-17RA, IL-17RB, IL-17RC, and IL-17RE were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) (A), in lymphocytes (B), and in monocytes (C) isolated from blood of control subjects (CTR), and of patients with BP at diagnosis (BP). Lines represent the mean, and non-parametric Mann–Whitney's test was used for statistical analysis (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01). (D) Monocytes from BP patients and control subjects were stained for IL-17RA or IL-17RC. Negative control: primary antibodies were not added. Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst (blue). Scale bar = 10 µm.

Fig 3: IL-17RA, IL-17RB, and IL-17RC showed differential pattern of expression in immune cells associated to lesional skin of patients with BP. Paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimen of blistering skin from BP patients (n = 3) were subjected to double immunofluorescence staining for IL-17RA, IL-17RB, and IL-17RC (in red), and either Tryptase, CD163, or myeloperoxidase (MPO) (in green) with Hoechst counterstain. Negative control: primary antibodies were not added. Scale bar = 10 µm.