Local immune response in the kidneys of rabbits with nephrotoxic serum nephritis.

Kidneys from rabbits with nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN) demonstrated a significant increase in the incorporation of 14C-amino acids into soluble protein and immunoglobulin as compared to kidneys from normal rabbits. The principal immunoglobulin synthesized by the kidney was IgG, although significant increases of IgA and IgM were present. Specific IgG antibody to the duck anti-rabbit kidney serum fixed to the kidney was present in kidneys and spleens from animals with NTN. This antibody synthesis persisted in the kidney for 33 days following the injection of the serum.