Interstitial nephritis in rats produced by E. coli in adjuvant: immunological findings

An increased incidence and severity of interstitial nephritis was produced in F344/fmai rats immunized with E. coli 022 in pertussis vaccine for 12-15 months. Migration of peritoneal exudate cells from immunized animals was inhibited by syngeneic kidney antigens. One out of twenty-eight immunized animals developed anti-TBM antibodies. In this model, interstitial nephritis develops in association with cell-mediated immunity to kidney tissue.