Induction of atrophic gastritis in ICR mice by the administration of an allogenic antigen.

In an attempt to produce experimental autoimmunity in small animals the experiment was sought to induce atrophic gastritis in ICR/JCL mice. The stomach antigen of ICR mice was extracted and emulsified with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant. This was subcutaneously injected in 5-week-old ICR/JCL mice at 1 week intervals for a total of 1 to 4 administrations. The stomach antibody in the serum gradually increased up to 2(6) until four weeks after the last injection of the stomach antigen. At the same time pyknosis and a decrease in number of the gastric mucosal cells, which ultimately led to the atrophying of gastric mucosa, developed. Thereafter, concomitant with the decrease in serum antibody against mucous cells, regeneration of mucous cells was especially remarkable, but atrophy of the fundic gland continued.