Globular domain of basement membrane collagen induces autoimmune pulmonary lesions in mice resembling human Goodpasture disease.
A distinct circulating antibody response could be evoked in C57BL mice after immunization with the globular domain NC1 of basement membrane collagen IV obtained from the mouse Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor when injected together with complete Freund's adjuvant. The antibodies reacted with various subunits of NC1, did not cross-react with other basement membrane proteins, and exhibited a tissue reactivity restricted to certain basement membranes. Tissue-bound antibodies could be detected by direct immunofluorescence and were distributed together with C3 in a linear pattern along glomerular and alveolar basement membranes. Pathological changes were mainly observed in lung and kidney and consisted of inflammatory infiltrates and massive hemorrhages with strong granulomatous fibrotic development in the lung. Kidney alterations were comparably weaker and of focal nature. A nephrotoxic serum model showed rapid binding of rabbit antibodies against mouse NC1 to lung, liver, and kidney basement membranes which was followed several weeks later by an autologous phase with anti-rabbit IgG antibodies bound to basement membranes as immune complexes. There was no fibrotic response but hemorrhagic and inflammatory lung and kidney changes similar to those after active immunization were observed after passive transfer. The experimental NC1 autoimmune model has several features such as anti-NC1 response, tissue restriction, lung hemorrhages, and glomerulonephritis in common with patients suffering from Goodpasture disease. The development of lung fibrosis appears to be unique for the animal model.
D000818:Animals; D019867:Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011817:Rabbits
D003094:Collagen