Serum sickness nephropathy in the rat using cationized albumin: effect of preimmunization and antigen dose.

A model of glomerulonephritis induced in preimmunized rats with cationic albumin is described. Extensive glomerular immune complex formation and a severe nephrotic syndrome occurred within 5 days of commencement of daily intravenous injections. Severity of disease was markedly influenced by the degree of preimmunization and, to a lesser extent, by the dose of cationic albumin administered. Immune deposits, although initially confined along the capillary loops, were seen at all sites in the glomerulus. This study confirms that, in rats, the use of cationic antigens accelerates the development of 'serum sickness' nephropathy but preimmunization is necessary to produce significant disease.