Dear Colleagues, 

Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by cutaneous and mucosal vesicles and bullae. The diagnostically Relevant Clinical and Immunopathological Characteristics of Major AIBD include Pemphigus Vulgaris and Pemphigus Foliaceus, Bullous Pemphigoid, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, Paraneoplastic Pemphigus, Linear IgA Disease, and Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita, Dermatitis Herpetiformis and so on. Some clinical signs are typical for a specific autoimmune bullous disease, however, correct diagnosis requires the detection of tissue-bound or circulating autoantibodies. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, histopathological, and immunofluorescence findings. Detection of autoantibodies against the specific antigens in the serum and penetrated autoantibodies into the lesions are gold standards for diagnosis and differentiate between the subtypes of AIBDs. However, there are some patients with different clinical and autoantibody patterns, which has made the diagnosis of such patients challenging. Current treatment strategies, including systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants could significantly reduce disease morbidity and mortality. However, such treatments cause several side-effects due to off-target effects. During the last decade, more specific agents to target B cells and B cells’ responses, such as  anti-CD20 and Anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies as well Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors have received significant attention. In addition, more targeted therapies, such as engineering of cells are emerging. Still there is no consensus on the best approach to manage patients and there are some uncertainties about choosing the best treatments for patients with different clinical manifestations and disease severity. Our Special Issue will focus on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential triggers, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune bullous diseases. We encourage authors to submit their original research, including preclinical, translational studies, and clinical trials. Review articles and case reports/series may also be considered.

Dr. Soheil Tavakolpour
Prof. Dr. Maryam Daneshpazhooh
Dr. Hamidreza Mahmoudi
Dr. Hassan Vahidnezhad
Guest Editors

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