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Idiopathic Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in humans, and many patients progress to end-stage kidney disease. The best available animal model of MN is active Heymann nephritis (HN) in which rats are immunized with renal tubular antigen (RTA) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Rats develop heavy proteinuria, a key measure of glomerular damage, and the disease is histologically identical to human MN. It has been thought that HN is mediated by antibody-based mechanisms. More recent evidence demonstrates a critical role for cytotoxic T cells. This thesis aims to further examine the role of T cell responses in active HN. First, the effect of the anti-CD3 monocIonal antibody (mAb) G4.18 was investigated. Anti-CD3 given 4 weeks after immunization prevented the development of proteinuria, delayed anti-RTA antibody responses, and reduced glomerular infiltration of CD8+ T cells and macrophages, but did not affect glomerular deposition of IgG or complement. Increased mRNA expression of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 was detected in draining lymph nodes. These findings suggest that immune deviation to a Th2 response reduces glomerular injury in HN. Second, the role of CD4+ T cells in immune tolerance was examined. Rats were given RTA in incomplete Freund's adjnvant (lFA) to induce tolerance to RTA, and three weeks later were immunized with RTA in CFA. Anti-CD4 mAb therapy at the time of RTA1IFA treatment had no effect on subsequent proteinuria or anti-RTA autibodies. Third, the role of IL-4 in this model of immune tolerance was examined. Anti-IL-4 mAb therapy blocked the induction of tolerance, and led to the development of proteinuria. Finally, the effect of treatment with IL-4 and IL-5 was examined. Treatment with these cytokines separately or together after immunization blocked the development of proteinuria, without a consistent effect on anti-RTA antibodies. These results demonstrate a central role for T cell regulation in HN, and show that immune deviation to a Th2 response is protective against glomerular injury. The findings may have implications in the future for focused therapeutic intervention in human idiopathic MN.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Physiology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy