Abstract
Membraneous nephritis can be induced by cationized antigens. The method to detect antibodies to cationized antigens is needed to analyse the mechanism of onset of membraneous nephritis. Rabbits (IgG allotype is b 4) were injected with either cationized rabbit IgG (c-RbIgG) b 4 or b 9 allotype. They developed renal lesions in which complement and IgG deposited in granular form along basement membrane. Passive hemagglutination tests were successfully performed, without considering the interaction between positive and negative charge, to detect the antibodies to c-RbIgG. The titers of antibodies to c-RbIgG antibodies were higher in rabbits injected with c-RbIgGb 9 than with c-RbIgGb 4. Because rabbits injected with c-RbIgGb 9 also developed antibodies to RbIgGb 9, cationized antigens are considered to be strong immunogens.
