Antigenic changes of the glomerular basement membrane after incorporation of hydroxyproline isomers.

We investigated antigenic changes of murine glomerular basement membrane (GBM) collagen type IV after oral feedings of 3-cis- or 4-cis-hydroxyproline. As shown by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric studies, 3-cis- and 4-cis-hydroxyproline were incorporated into the GBM collagen instead of the normal trans isomer and led to a considerable reduction of the collagen antibody reactivity on indirect immunofluorescence, passive hemagglutination and radioimmunoassay when compared to GBM collagen of control animals. We speculate that antigen modification due to the incorporation of stereoisomers could serve as a model for basement membrane immunopathology.