Experimental nephropathy induced in rabbits by immunization with Escherichia coli 055 lipopolysaccharide. 2. Immunologic findings.

Thirty-seven rabbits were immunized against lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli or Salmonella enteritidis over a period of up to 16 months. The animals developed antibodies against rabbit renal glycoproteins and against bacterial polysaccharide; they also showed signs of kidney lesions. The immunoperoxidase test showed antibody and complement (C3) fixation on the periphery of glomeruli and tubules. Antibodies extracted from the kidneys of the immunized animals reacted with isologous and autologous renal glycoproteins, suggesting that the renal lesions were due to an immunologic response. The cross-reactivity between the bacterial lipopolysaccharide and the renal glycoproteins appears to be responsible for these lesions.