Supplementation of Heterologous Complement Induces Anti-Thy-1.1 Nephritis in the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

抄録

Anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis in the rat is a popular experimental model for mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). This model is characterized by direct binding of anti-Thy-1.1 antibody with Thy-1.1 antigen expressed on mesangial cells (MCs) of glomeruli in the rat. A single injection of anti-rat thymocyte serum (ARTS) results in GN with proteinuria and extensive mesangiolysis. Development of mesangiolysis and proteinuria are complement-dependent. We previously demonstrated Thy-1.1 antigen, similar to the rat, in thymocytes, brain cells and MCs of the kidney in the Mongolian gerbil (MG). In this study, we attempted to develop a MG nephritis model, but an injection of ARTS did not induce GN. An additional injection of guinea pig serum as a complement after ARTS injection resulted in anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis in MG. Degeneration of MCs and neutrophil infiltration were observed 1 hr after GP serum injection. Mesangiolysis and fibrin exudation occurred 12 hr after the injection and MC proliferation was apparent 7 days after the injection. In the complement-dependent hemolytic test, MG serum could not hemolyze sheep erythrocytes. These results suggested low activity, or depletion of some factors, in complements of MG serum.