Ferritin- and apoferritin-induced immune complex glomerulonephritis in mice.

In order to study the effects of the protein moiety independent of the protein-iron complex in the development of ferritin-induced glomerulonephritis, we compared the effects of ferritin, equimolar amounts of apoferritin, and equimolar amounts of iron dextran in Swiss albino mice. The results were compared to both saline-injected and non-injected controls. Ferritin resulted in a glomerulonephritis associated with predominantly mesangial deposition of immune complexes. Tubulo-interstitial changes occurred as well. Iron dextran resulted in similar but less severe tubulo-interstitial changes and evoked no glomerular alterations. Apoferritin resulted in an immune complex glomerulonephritis usually associated with membranous deposits. No tubular or interstitial changes occurred. Proteinuria developed in animals receiving apoferritin. Since the protein-iron complex caused tubular and interstitial damage, apoferritin may provide a more suitable model of immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.