SUMMARYIn il previous report analysing kidney sections by immunofluorescence we showed that hamsters infecied wilh L. di>nt)ntnidc\clop a glomerulonephrilis (GN) associated wilh deposition of hatiister immunoglobulins and parasite antigens in the glomcruli. In this study we characterize these immune cotiiponents eluted from the kidneys. The eluted immunoglobulins showed specificity for L. donovani antigens and hamster imtnunoglobulins (rheumatoid factor-like aclivity). The lour isotypcs IgGl. lgG2. IgA and IgM wcrcdcicclcd. Several /., tloncnini anugcns were detected in the renal eluates by Western blot and itTimuneprecipitation using '-^l-labellcd cluatcs. Proteins with tnol. wt of 134, 82, 52. 31, and 26 kD were detected by Western blot and proteins with 134, 110, 93, 89 and 48 kD were detected by imtnunoprccipitallon. With ihe exception ofthe 134 kD protein which was recognized by both rabbit anti-promastigote ;md rabbit anti-imiastigotc sera all the others were recognized only by the an ti-Limastigolc scrum. The 134 kD protein was the only one isolated from the kidneys of infected hamster immunocotnplexcd with IgG and was the only one detected iti a protnastigole lysate using IgG from L. donomni-'mfccied hamsters.Keywords Leishmania donovani glomerulonephritis experimental kala-azur immune complexes IMRODUCTION Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis is a disease caused by /.. donovani. an obligatory intracellular protozoan, which infccls e.vclusiveiy the macrophages of the rcticulocndolliclial system, predominantly in ihc spleen, liver ;itid bone miirrow. The infection is clinically characterised by lever. hcp;ilosplenoniegaly, anaemia and Ieucopenia sis [15][16][17] ;md in olher protozoan-induced infections such as malaria [!S|. schistosomiasis [19] and trypanosomiasis [20], A common trait observed in renal lesions resulting from protozoan infection is the presence of immunodeposits occurring in a granular pattern. The characicri/ation ofthe molecules found iti these deposits can help lo understand why they accumulate in the renal structures and how they cause renal injury, Thehamster is a valuable animal model for kala-azar. In this animal the disease results in hepatosplenomegaly, anaemia [2l[ heightened serum globulin levels [22j, imnuinosiippression [23j. polyclonal B cell activalion [24.24a] and icnal involvctncnt [25,25al, In previous reports we described that hamsters infected with /... donovani developed a conspieuous itnmunc complex glomerulonephrilis (GN) dclined by ihc presence ofgranular deposits of /,. dtinovani antigens and hamster imniLinoglobuiins in the mcsangium and glomeruli loops .In this study we characterize the imtnunoglobulins and the L. donovani antigens eluted from the kidneys of iniected hatTisters,
