EXPERIMENTAL GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IN RAT INDUCED BY ANTIBODIES DIRECTED AGAINST TUBULAR ANTIGENS .4. INVESTIGATIONS INTO PATHOGENESIS OF MODEL

Abstract

Heterologous immune complex glomerulonephritis can be induced in various strains of rats by 1 injection of heterologous antibody directed against antigens present in the brush border of the proximal tubules of the rat kidney. A study on the pathogenesis of this model was described. Although it is generally believed that an immune complex glomerulonephritis is caused by the deposition of soluble immune complexes from the circulation in the glomerular basement membrane, there are reasons for doubting whether this mechanism is also operating in the type of experimental glomerulonephritis presented here. In a study using injections of extra antibody and extra antigen to influence the formation and deposition of immune complexes, it was demonstrated that this type of glomerulonephritis is induced in a state of antibody excess. The theory that only immune complexes formed in antigen excess can deposit in the glomerular basement membrane warrants the assumption that in this model a different pathogenetic mechanism is operating. In the heterologous immune complex glomerulonephritis free antibody may cross the glomerular basement membrane to combine with the antigen. This antigen crosses the glomerular basement membrane separately or is already present as an integral part of this structure.