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Acute sialoadenitis, ascribed to local formation of immune complexes, develops in sensitized rats after a single intraductal challenge with the sensitizing antigen. Multiple intraductal challenges induce a state of non-reactivity of the organ characterized by a lack of inflammatory reaction to the sensitizing antigen. This non-reactivity is antigen-specific, since introduction of ovalbumin, after multiple intraductal instillations of bovine serum albumin (BSA), elicits an inflammatory response in animals immunized with the two antigens. At the same time, instillation of BSA into the contralateral gland, which has not been challenged, causes acute adenitis. Anti-BSA antibodies are detected in the serum and parotid saliva at the time of refractoriness of the gland. The phenomenon is a transient one since the faculty of the salivary gland to respond by an inflammatory reaction recovers after a challenge-free period. These experiments bring to light a new phenomenon, the possible mechanisms of which are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One to eight injections of BSA or saline were given into the gingiva of sensitized or non-sensitized rats. The mucous membrane of untreated rats was found to be mildly inflamed. A single injection of BSA or saline caused moderate to severe gingivitis. The severity and incidence of gingivitis decreased with increasing number of injections of BSA or saline into the mucosa. This phenomenon of induced "local non-reactivity" is similar to that observed in the parotid gland after multiple introductions of antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instillations of bovine serum albumin into the parotid gland of rats elicit a local and systemic immune response, the former being the more pronounced response. With increasing number of intraductal instillations of antigen, the titers of antibodies in the saliva and serum rise progressively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on antibodies to species homologous tissue antigens in a rat. In human glomerulonephritis an immune reaction occurs within the tissue lesion. Circulating anti-kidney antibodies are demonstrable in nearly half of all forms of diseases. Experimental glomerulonephritis consequent on administration of foreign proteins primarily illustrates the renal alterations of serum sickness. While nephrotoxic serum nephritis is a useful experimental model in the study of glomerulonephritis and of the involved nephrotoxic heterologous antiserum.

The article presents information on naturally occurring circulating antibodies. One hundred and four sera of rats were examined for antibodies reacting in the complement-fixation test with species-homologous tissue antigens. The sera were examined with seven rat tissue preparations by the complement-fixation test. The preparations used were whole kidney, heart and spleen and the so-called renal heavy particles material, mitochondrial, microsomal and soluble fractions. The stimulus responsible for the formation of these antibodies to species homologous tissue antigens is unknown.