ROLE OF C3 IN AUTOLOGOUS PHASE OF NEPHROTOXIC NEPHRITIS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (3) , 464-473
Abstract
The role of complement (c) was studied in the autologous phase of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) in rabbits. No reduction in glomerular fibrin deposition, crescent formation or protection from renal failure was observed in the standard model of NTN when decomplementing doses of cobra venom factor (CVF) were given before the autologous phase, or in a telescoped model when CVF was administered before the nephrotoxic antibody. In the latter situation, glomerular fibrin deposition and crescent formation were found in the absence of detectable deposition of C3 [the 3rd C component]. Substantial protection was observed when circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were depleted by [goat] antipolymorph serum. These observations establish the existence of a system of allergic glomerular injury mediated by PMN, but independent of C3. This system may account for the glomerular injury seen in patients with Goodpasture''s syndrome in whom glomerular C3 deposition is not found.