Consequences

 Protein loss-of-function

• In pemphigus vulgaris, antibodies against desmosomes disrupt intercellular junctions in epidermis, leading to the formation of skin vesicles.

 Cellular dysfunctions: In some cases, antibodies directed against cell-surface receptors impair or dysregulate function without causing cell injury or inflammation.

• In myasthenia gravis, antibodies reactive with acetylcholine receptors in the motor end-plates of skeletal muscles impair neuromuscular transmission and therefore cause muscle weakness.

• In Graves disease, antibodies against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor on thyroid epithelial cells stimulate the cells, resulting in hyperthyroidism (antibody-mediated stimulation of cell function)