Etiology - specific gene inactivation. The etiology of most spontaneous cases of glomerulonephritis is unknown. Glomerular lesions are generally uncommon in mice, although certain strains have a higher incidence than others do. In particular, NZB x NZW F1 hybrid mice have an autoimmune glomerulonephritis with a histologic appearance that is very similar to the case presented in conference. This lesion is characterized by mesangial proliferation, deposition of PAS-positive material, and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates.
Affected mice develop a fatal, progressive glomerulonephropathy.
A unique fibrillar material that is thought to be immunoglobulin is deposited in the renal interstitium. Ninety percent of females and 40 percent of males in this group of mice have circulating anti-DNA antibodies. Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, pp221-213. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists are co-sponsors of the Registry of Veterinary Pathology. The C.L. Davis Foundation also provides substantial support for the Registry.