IgA nephropathy is not induced in mice by oral administration of TNP-conjugated ovalbumin.

An IgA nephropathy model based on long-term oral administration of protein antigens was evaluated in three mouse strains using trinitrophenyl (TNP)-conjugated ovalbumin. Administration of the antigen for 14 weeks did not induce a significant IgA response nor deposition of IgA in the mesangium in any of the mouse strains. If, however, serum IgA anti-TNP antibodies were induced by intraperitoneal injection of anti-TNP producing MOPC-315 tumor cells, subsequent intravenous injection of antigen resulted in the deposition of IgA immune complexes in the mouse kidneys. Hematuria did not occur. In conclusion, previous data showing that long-term oral administration of protein antigens induces mesangial IgA deposits could not be confirmed with TNP ovalbumin. However, mesangial IgA deposits were obtained in animals treated with MOPC-315 tumor cells as described by Rifai et al. [J. exp. Med. 150: 1161-1173, 1979].