Tubular antigen-associated renal disease in New Zealand white rabbits

Rabbits immunized with autologous renal tubular antigen (Fx1A) developed tubulointerstitial nephritis whereas sheep anti-Fx1A antibody administered i.v. produced glomerulonephritis (GN). This lesion showed heavy granular glomerular deposition of immunoglobulin and subepithelial electron dense deposits, early proteinuria, leucocyte independence and a temporal pattern of quantitated glomerular antibody binding distinct from that reported to occur in passive Heymann's nephritis in rats. Isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting of deoxycholate-soluble Fx1A antigens with the heterologous and autologous antibodies, indicated species differences in epitope recognition which could account for dissociation between the two models.