Proliferative glomerulonephritis in mice given intravenous Corynebacterium parvum.

Mice given a killed suspension of Corynebacterium parvum (C.p.) developed nephritis as part of an immune complex disease. The nephritis was dose-related. After a single dose of 70 microgram (a human-equivalent dose) or of 466 microgram there was a mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis and after repeated human-equivalent doses there was a mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis. Antibodies to C.p. increased and circulating immune complexes were detected. Mice receiving repeated doses also developed an arteritis. Study of this model may help in the understanding of human immune complex disease and the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis.