BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN (BSA) NEPHRITIS IN RATS I. EXPERIMENTAL MODEL

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Abstract
Proliferative glomerulonephritis with proteinuria was induced in Wistar rats by bovine serum albumin (BSA). Rats were immunized [s.c.] with 1 mg or 2.5 mg of BSA in complete Freund''s adjuvant (CFA) and 8 wk later 1 mg of BSA was given i.v. 6 times weekly for 4 wk. Immunofluorescence revealed granular deposits of Ig[immunoglobulin]G, C3 [complement component 3] and BSA in the mesangial area with or without deposition of the same components along the capillary wall. Evaluation of the circulating antibody [Ab] disclosed an apparent correlation between the level of AB and histological findings. Rats with an intermediate amount of Ab production developed mesangial widening with mesangial immune deposits and no proteinuria. Rats with a low response developed proliferative glomerulonephritis with immune deposits along the capillary wall and in the mesangial area and proteinuria.