Abstract: Wei Gao, Zheng Wenjun, Zhou Qiong. Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China Corresponding author: Zheng Wenjun, Email: 591292777@qq.com 【Abstract】 Objective To study the effect of anticholinesterase agents on acantholysis in pemphigus vulgaris （PV） by using a mouse model. Methods Fifty-five neonatal BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: model group injected subcutaneously with the sera of patients with PV （n = 15）, pyridostigmine bromide group （n = 15） and neostigmine methylsulfate group （n = 15） subcutaneously injected with pyridostigmine bromide and neostigmine methylsulfate respectively, in addition to the sera of PV patients, control group subcutaneously injected with sodium chloride physiological solution （n = 10）. The effect of anticholinesterase agents on acantholysis in PV was evaluated in terms of clinical presentation, histopathological manifestations and direct immunofluorescence findings. Results The injection of sera from PV patients induced characteristic changes of PV in neonatal BALB/c mice in the model group. The degree of acantholysis in the model group was higher than that in the pyridostigmine bromide group （H = 21.584, P < 0.001） and neostigmine methylsulfate group （H = 20.641, P < 0.001）. No changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion Anticholinesterase agents can reduce the degree of acantholysis in the mouse model of PV.

Key words: Pemphigus, Disease models, animal, Cholinesterase inhibitors