The zone of localization of antibodies. IX. The properties of anti-rat-lung serum.

Abstract

Summary Rats injected with the radioiodinated globulin fraction of anti-lung serum exhibited specific localization of radioactivity in their lungs, and also in their kidneys. Although the localization in kidney of anti-lung serum was quite similar in extent to the localization of anti-kidney serum, the localization in lung was quite different for the two antisera. Absorption by acetone extracted kidney sediment removed more kidney-localizing than lung-localizing activity, suggesting that there are substances in lung which are different serologically from any components in kidney. The kidney-localizing component of anti-lung serum was found to be similar to that of anti-kidney serum: both localized clearly in glomeruli (radioautography), decayed in kidney tissue with a “half-life” of about 25 days, and were absorbed in vitro by a fraction of kidney homogenate which was insoluble in saline, alcohol, acetone and ether. It is concluded that there are substances in lung and kidney which are similar, or perhaps identical, and which are the antigens responsible for the development of kidney-localizing antibody. The findings are discussed in relation to glomerulonephritis.