Intensified IgA mesangial deposits after administration of sheep anti-type IV collagen serum in mice

Sheep anti-type IV collagen serum was intravenously administered to male mice of the BALB/c, C3H and ddY strains, and their kidneys were morphologically studied monthly for 10 months thereafter. By immunofluorescence, the sheep IgG was seen to have immediately become conjugated to the glomeruli, mainly in a mesangial pattern. Successively, autologous mouse C3 and IgG appeared with the same type of distribution. Within 3 to 4 months after the start of the experiment, mouse IgA also appeared in the mesangium, especially in ddY mice. The intensity and frequency of mesangial IgA deposition and the serum IgA level increased with time in this strain. BALB/c and C3H mice also showed the same tendency of mesangial IgA deposition, although to a lesser degree. In summary, it was concluded that mesangial IgA deposition was due to non-immunological local trapping, on the basis of the results obtained by ELISA analysis of the sera and renal eluate. Although the ddY mouse is known to show spontaneous mesangial IgA deposition associated with a high serum IgA level with aging, these characteristics were much accelerated and intensified by this antiserum treatment. The relation of this observation to the pathogenesis of human IgA nephritis is discussed.