Expermental glomerulonephritis in the rat induced by antibodies directed against tubular antigens. III. In vitro evaluation of cell-mediated immune responses against immune complexes influenced by immunosuppressive therapy.

In this paper, cell-mediated immunity (CMI) as evaluated by in vitro migration inhibition assays an in vivo delayed type skin reactions in experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis (ECGN) was studied as well as the effect of treatment with immunosuppressive drugs on these immune responses. In glomerulonephritic rats MIF production as well as delayed type skin reactions could be demonstrated directed against tubular brushborder antigen (Fx1A) containing immune complexes or to their constituents (FX1A or rabbit IgG). Treatment of the animals with immunosuppressive drugs during settled disease state (autologous phase) abolished these cellular immune reactions. However, neither the glomerular depositions of rat IgG associated with the autologous phase, nor the urinary excretion was influenced. When treatment of the animals was started simultaneously with the induction of the ECGN both cellular and humoral immune responses as well as proteinuria were affected. It was concluded that although in this glomerulonephritis model specific MIF response after specific stimulation in vitro as well as DTH reactions could be detected against immune complexes or their constituents, these immune reactions seem not to play important role in this ECGN in particular with respect to the proteinuria.