Anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibody-induced glomerulonephritis in Mongolian gerbils

Two novel murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced to the Thy-1 mo lecule of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). These mAbs, HUSM-M.g.2 7 of IgG1 isotype and HUSM-M.g.40 of IgG2a isotype, immunohistochemically r eacted with the thymus, nervous system, and glomerular mesangium in partial ly different manners, suggesting that they recognize distinct epitopes, alt hough they reacted with Thy-1 antigen, with apparent molecular weight of ab out 25 kDa, on gerbil thymocytes, Mild and severe forms of mesangioprolifer ative nephritis after glomerular deposition of the antibody was observed in gerbils administered mAbs HUSM-M.g.27 and HUSM-M.g.40, respectively, intra peritoneally, with or without guinea-pig serum as supplementary complement. Distinct pathogenicity and requirement of guinea pig serum for pathologic sequels are discussed as they relate to the rat model of anti-Thy-1-induced glomerulonephritis.