Experimental production of basement membrane zone antibodies

Sera from animals immunized to basement membrane proteins were collected and studied by indirect immunofluorescence using rat skin, esophagus, kidney, urinary bladder, rabbit skin, and human skin as substrates. Serum of immunized rabbits showed indirect immunofluorescent staining at the basement membrane zone of rat skin, esophagus, glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, rabbit skin, and human skin. In addition, the connective tissue sheaths of muscle fibers showed fluorescent staining. Direct immunofluorescence of skin, esophagus, kidney, and urinary bladder obtained from immunized animals was negative in all cases. This study demonstrates the antibody-inducing capability of basement membrane zone antigens of stratified squamous epithelium and suggests the presence of an antigen common to basement membranes of stratified squamous epithelium, glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and the connective tissue sheaths of striated muscle. Histopathologic abnormalities were not associated with these antibodies in the immunized animals.