Development of NC1 and NC2 domains of type VII collagen ELISA for the diagnosis and analysis of the time course of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita patients.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an acquired autoimmune mechanobullous disease. EBA patients possess autoantibodies against type VII collagen which is composed of a collagenous domain flanked by non-collagenous NC1 and NC2 domains. It was reported that major epitopes reside within the NC1 domain and minor epitopes reside within NC2 domain.