Removal of glomerular deposits induced by either preformed immune complexes or by a chronic immune complex model in NZB/W mice.

The solubilization and removal of defined glomerular immune complex deposits by excess antigen was examined in NZB/W female mice. Glomerular deposits were induced by administering preformed immune complexes to young (2 to 4 mo) mice before they naturally acquired deposits from endogenous disease and to old (7 mo) mice with deposits from naturally acquired disease. The administration of excess antigen specifically removed deposits of preformed immune complexes in both groups. This was associated with a reduction in circulating large latticed complexes containing more than two antigen and two antibody molecules (greater than Ag2Ab2). Established deposits in old mice therefore did not interfere with removal of newly induced deposits of preformed immune complexes. Glomerular deposits were also induced in young mice by a chronic human serum albumin (HSA) immune complex model. The antigen in immune deposits induced by 2 wk of chronic antigen administration was solubilized and was removed within 48 hr of administering excess antigen. Circulating antibodies to the antigen were also reduced by excess antigen. Glomerular deposits of mouse immunoglobulin and complement were not significantly reduced by excess antigen but remained more intense than in mice of comparable age given preformed complexes. Thus deposits of other antigen antibody systems and possibly endogenous disease were induced by the chronic HSA immune complex model in NZB/W mice. However, defined antigen deposits within deposits containing multiple antigen antibody systems can clearly be removed by administering excess antigen.