Immunhistologische Untersuchungen experimenteller Nephritiden

Abstract

1. The immunohistological demonstration of rabbit γ-globulin in the kidneys of rats was the same after injecting either rabbit anti-rat kidney serum or fluorescein labeled anti-kidney serum. Ten minutes after the injection of the anti-rat kidney serum it was found bound to the glomerular basement membrane, less to the tubules. The anti-kidney sera made by homogenates of whole kidneys were polyvalent, containing antibodies against glomeruli and tubules. 2. The nephrotoxic anti-rat kidney antibodies of rabbits were organ-specific and caused nephritis in mice and gerbils (Meriones unginculatus) as well. The antibody localized in these animals like in rats. 3. The pathologic changes in the early stages of nephritis in young animals was characterized by cellular proliferation, in older animals by a thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. In the late stages no differences were noticed between the age groups. The injected nephrotoxic antibodies were deposited alike in both the young and old animals. 4. Caution and critical controls of specificity are needed before interpreting immunohistological results. Non-specific staining from impure sera or from those labeled with excess fluorescein may lead to false results that appear to be specific. Special attention must be paid to the changes of physic-chemical reactions in cell proteins induced by pathological processes (e.g., necrosis) that may facilitate intensified nonspecific staining, although highly purified γ-globulin fractions properly labelled with fluorescein are used.