A model of immune complex-mediated pleuropulmonary injury; evidence of deposition of circulating immune complexes in the lung.

Severe acute, diffuse lung inflammation was induced in rabbits immunized to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and subsequently challenged with BSA intrapleurally. Evidence suggesting involvement of circulating immune complexes in the pathogenesis of lung injury in these rabbits include 1) positive lung immunofluorescence, 2) a fall in serum hemolytic complement, 3) diffuse bilateral involvement despite unilateral antigen challenge, and 4) absence of these findings in control rabbits. Further investigation with this model may provide insight into the processes involved in the deposition of immune complexes in the lung and the mechanisms of lung injury provoked by immune complex deposition.