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. 1963 Jul;6(4):382–402.

Induction of Autoimmunity to Adrenal Gland

E V Barnett, D C Dumonde, L E Glynn
PMCID: PMC1423324  PMID: 14042904

Abstract

Rabbits that were immunized with homologous and heterologous adrenal homogenates in complete adjuvant responded with complement-fixing heat-stable autoantibody primarily directed against adrenal. Rabbits responded with autoantibody production against cytoplasm of adrenal cortex and of ovarian and testicular cells as detected by immunofluorescence. Antibody, with sedimentation similar to 7S γ globulin, was directed against a heat-labile antigen in rabbit, guinea-pig and rat adrenal. Antibody responsible for reactions with the antigens in the complement fixation and immunofluorescent tests was absorbed by an ultra-centrifugal sediment of adrenal or ovary.

Histological evidence of adrenalitis was present only in those rabbits immunized with heterologous adrenal.

Guinea-pigs immunized with heterologous adrenal homogenates developed more extensive adrenal infiltrates than did guinea-pigs immunized with homologous adrenal. Antibody from guinea-pigs immunized with heterologous adrenal reacted with autologous organ antigens as well as with rabbit and rat adrenal. Skin tests with homologous adrenal revealed no evidence for delayed-type hypersensitivity.

The detection of autoantigens in foetal rabbit adrenal and ovary suggests that rabbits should be tolerant to such antigens. The greater efficacy of immunization with heterologous adrenal in eliciting autoantibody and autoimmune adrenalitis may be a feature of experimental autoimmunity induced by those organ-specific antigens to which the animal is tolerant. The presence of autoantibody in the serum, bound γ globulin at the site of adrenal lesions and the absence of delayed-type hypersensitivity to homologous adrenal suggest that the humoral immune mechanisms play a role in experimental autoimmune adrenalitis.

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