Autologous immune-complex pathogenesis of experimental allergic glomerulonephritis.

A renal tubular epithelial antigen is deposited in association with gamma globulin and complement in glomeruli from rats with experimental allergic glomerulonephritis induced by immunization with renal tubular antigens. Apparently, in normal kidneys this antigen is concentrated in the distal segment of the proximal convoluted tubular epithelium, and the principal source of this antigen in the glomerular deposits is autologous. This form of glomerulonephritis provides an experimental prototype for what may be termed "autologous immunecomplex" diseases.