Evidence that the antigen of autologous immune complex glomerulonephritis of rats is a mannose- or glucose-containing glycoprotein

Chemical nature of the brush border antigen (BBAg) of the autologous immune complex glomerulonephritis (AIC) of rats was investigated by a histochemical method utilizing indirect immunofluorescence. Fresh frozen rat kidney sections, a specific antibody to BBAg (BBAb), purified lectins (concanavalin A, Ricin II, wheat germ hemagglutinin) and a specific sugar, α-methyl-D-mannopyranoside were used. The reaction of the specific antibody BBAb to its antigen BBAg on tissue sections was blocked by concanavalin A but not by Ricin II and wheat germ agglutinin. This blockade was reversed by α-methyl-D-mannopyranoside. These results suggest that the antigen of AIC of rats is a mannose or glucose containing glycoprotein.