Antigenicity of Connective Tissue Extracts II. Stimulation of Auto- and Iso-antibodies by Heterologous Antigen.

Abstract

Guinea pigs which were injected with rabbit tendon extracts in adjuvant develop complement fixing antibodies to guinea pig tendon extracts. Sections from liver, kidney, heart, lung and adrenals of these sensitized guinea pigs showed fixation of gamma globulin in interstitial spaces, basal membranes, and vascular walls. Such sections from normal guinea pig organs also showed specific fluorescence when preincubated with anti-rabbit connective tissue serum. The injected guinea pigs had a markedly stunted growth (p <.001). These findings tend to support the possibility that "auto-immune" antibodies to connective tissue can be induced by heterologous antigen.