Genetically controlled autologous immune complex glomerulonephritis in rats.

A study was conducted on the disease susceptibility of inbred strains of rats to experimental autologous immune complex glomerulonephritis (AIC). Three strains representing two different H-1-haploytpes developed severe glomerulonephritis within 3 months in response to a single injection with equal doses of an autologous primary tubular epithelial fraction and complete Freund's adjuvant (Lewis, AS (H-11)) and Lew.BDV (H-1d)).By contrast, two strains of the H-1 haplotype H-1n (BN and Lew.BN) showed no proteinuria and no immunohistologic findings during that time. Hybrids of Lew.BN and Lewis, subjected to the same immunizing procedure, showed a later onset of the disease as compared to the responder parent. The possible relationship between responder status and the major histocampatibility complex is discussed.