Antibodies Against the Cytoplasm of Human Epidermal Cells

Antibodies against the cytoplasm of normal human epidermal cells were found in 4 of 23 (17%) normal persons, 12 of 57 (21%) patients with various dermatoses, 11 of 34 (32%) patients with malignant tumors, and 3 of 11 (27%) patients with malignant melanoma. These antibodies react against several different cytoplasmic antigens, some of which appear to be tissue- and species-specific, while others may also be present in heterologous stratified epithelial or smooth muscle cells.