title: Autoimmune alterations in the neurohypophysis of rabbits immunized against vasopressin.
abstract: Rabbits immunized against vasopressin developed clinical signs of diabetes insipidus persisting for up to two months after the last boost. Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies of the neurohypophysis demonstrated autoimmune alterations: infiltration by immune cells and extracellular deposits of immunoglobulins. No alterations were observed in the hypothalamic nuclei synthesizing vasopressin nor in hormone-target cells of the kidney. Immunization against vasopressin may provide the first example of an autoimmune disease in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002196:Capillaries / Q000294:innervation; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009489:Neurosecretion; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D014667:Vasopressins