Glomerular basement membrane: its antigenicity evaluated by antistreptococcal cell membrane antisera

Rabbit antistreptococcal membrane antisera have been demonstrated to cross-react with both human and mouse glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Though some antisera may display broad antimammalian tissue, specificity select sera were found that were specific for the GBM. The antigenicity of the GBM was also shown to change with age where certain antisera reacted with adult tissue but not with young and vice versa. Two key periods were demonstrated, one starting at about 10 days and another at about 3 months. One in vitro, indirect fluorescent antibody testing the young tissue (10-20 days) was often more reactive than older tissue. By in vivo testing these same antisera showed greater activity in animals older than 3 months. These results establish that these antisera may serve as a vital adjunct to all antisera for recognition of specific GBM antigens.