The role of nasal tolerance in a model of IgA nephropathy induced in mice by Sendai virus

Clin Immunol. 2004 Oct;113(1):101-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2004.06.002.

Abstract

Mucosal antigenic exposure is implicated in pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. Although IgG and/or IgM codeposits may promote disease, protracted mucosal antigenic exposure reduces IgG and IgM antibody, a process termed mucosal tolerance. We immunized mice intranasally with infectious or inactivated Sendai virus for 6 or 14 weeks. Anti-virus IgG remained high in mice given infectious virus for 14 weeks, but decreased after 6 weeks in mice given inactivated virus; IgA antibody remained high in both groups. Upon viral challenge, glomerular IgG and complement deposits and the frequency of hematuria, all equal after 6 weeks of immunization, were lower in mice immunized with inactivated virus for 14 weeks but remained high in mice given infectious virus; glomerular IgA increased over time in both immunized groups. Viremia in a non-tolerized immune host can promote glomerulonephritis with IgG and complement codeposits and glomerular dysfunction. These preliminary experiments may guide future, more mechanistic, investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Hematuria / immunology
  • Immune Complex Diseases / immunology
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology*
  • Kidney / immunology
  • Kidney Diseases / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Proteinuria / immunology
  • Respirovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Sendai virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A