Natural killer function in the rat with interstitial nephritis

Brown Norway (BN) rats with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) have an augmented NK activity. Immunological manifestations of the disease indicate the existence of a highly activated B-cell system, as reflected in the high levels of circulating antibodies and in the predominant spontaneous IgG-producing B-cells in cultures. In addition, NK cells appear to induce positive signals for antibody production either when co-cultured with B-cells alone or after treatment with poly I:C. Our results suggest that NK cells might play a role in the immunoregulation of the humoral response in this disease.