A search for circulating immune complex-like material during the course of autoimmune complex glomerulonephritis in Lewis and Brown Norway rats.

Circulating immune complexes were repeatedly searched for using the C1q-binding assay and the Raji cell test in Lewis and BN rats immunized with the Fx1A fraction from convoluted proximal tubule or with kidney homogenate, mixed with various adjuvants. An autoimmune glomerulonephritis was easily induced in Lewis rats. A potent adjuvant and a booster injection were necessary to obtain such a glomerulonephritis in the BN strain which is reputedly resistant. No circulating immune complex-like material could be found in Lewis rats using the C1q-binding assay. A high C1q-binding activity was found in Bn rats including control rats. The Raji cell test was weakly positive in Lewis and BN rats including control rats. This study demonstrates that the classical resistance of BN rats can be overcome if a potent adjuvant is used. Our failure to demonstrate circulating immune complexes suggests that in situ formation of immune deposits, as recently demonstrated in passive Heymann's nephritis, may also be operative in autoimmune complex glomerulonephritis. Other factors than the antigen used can be responsible for positive C1q-binding or Raji cell tests.