Tubulointerstitial nephritis by Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein or egg white component.

Experimental tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) was induced in Wistar rats and New Zealand white rabbits by direct intrarenal inoculation of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THG) or egg white component (egg white A). After five immunizations of THG or egg white A with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), direct intrarenal inoculation of THG or egg white A also induced more severe TIN in the inoculated kidney. By the 7th day, in 1 of the animals with immunizations and then intrarenal inoculation of THG, the inoculated kidney was swollen and appeared necrotic. By the 28th day, in 1 of those receiving immunizations and intrarenal inoculation of THG, the inoculated kidney became contracted. TIN was observed in three experimental models, namely (a) direct intrarenal inoculation of THG or egg white A; (b) five immunizations of THG and (c) immunizations and then intrarenal inoculations of THG or egg white A. The most severe TIN was observed in the latter model.