COVID 19 and Pemphigus vulgaris: a potential correlation

Autoimmune blistering diseases have been associated with exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition, oropharyngeal Pemphigus vulgaris appears to be associated with the coronavirus. In order to understand the molecular basis linking SARS-CoV-2 and Pemphigus vulgaris, this study explores the molecular mimicry hypothesis and analyzes the peptide sharing between the Pemphigus vulgaris autoantigen, i.e., Desmoglein 3 (Dsg-3), and the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. Results indicate a low molecular mimicry level, still immunologically significant, between SARS-CoV-2 and Dsg-3.