IgA mesangial deposits in C3H/HeJ mice after oral immunisation

In order to develop an experimental IgA nephropathy, C3H/HeJ mice, high producers of IgA, were strongly immunised orally by ferritin and compared to C3H/eB mice. After immunisation, serum IgA and IgG titres increased significantly only in C3H/HeJ mice. Specific antiferritin antibody could be detected in the serum. Mesangial IgA deposits were present in most of C3H/HeJ mice after immunisation and were significantly higher than in C3H/eB mice. No ferritin deposits could be detected in the kidney. No clinical manifestation appeared in these animals.