Experimental mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in rats induced by intravenous administration of anti-thymocyte serum.

Focal glomerulonephritis was induced in rats, by a single intravenous injection of anti-Thy-1.1 antibody (ATS). One hour after the administration, the glomeruli of affected rats developed necrotic changes of the mesangial cells while after two hours, mesangiolytic changes appeared. From six days onwards, focal segmental mesangial proliferation which persisted until 30 days, occurred. This is thought to be the first report of experimental nephritis induced by pure anti-mesangial antibody.