Immunopathological events initiated and maintained by pathogenic IgG autoantibodies in an experimental autoimmune kidney disease.

The experimental models of Heymann nephritis (HN) and slowly progressive Heymann nephritis (SPHN) give us rare opportunities to investigate the etiologies and pathogenesis of two immunopathological processes in rats leading to: (1) autoimmune disease, where the autoimmune disease HN and SPHN is initiated and maintained by cross-reactive pathogenic IgG autoantibodies (aabs) directed against the renal proximal convoluted tubules' brush border (BB) cells – where the nephritogenic antigen (ag) is produced and localized – damaging and releasing BB associated nephritogenic ag into the circulation which in turn contributes to continuation of the autoimmune disease; and (2) immune complex glomerulonephritis, where the glomerular injury is initiated, proceeding into a chronic progressive disease by depositing immune complexes (ICs) – made up of a glomerular epithelial cell produced endogenous nephritogenic ag and the developing pathogenic IgG aab directed against the nephritogenic ag, and complement components – o...