Experimental Autoimmune Damage to Rat Male Accessory Glands (MAG)*

Abstract

Isoimmunization of Wistar rats with male accessory gland (MAG) extract and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induces a specific cell‐mediated immune response detected by skin delayed hypersensitivity, spleen lymphocyte culture as well as by the presence of macrophage inhibitory factor and skin reactive factor. Specific antibodies have also been investigated by hemagglutination, immunodiffusion, and complement‐fixation tests. In a group of rats receiving a single immunizing dose no antibody response was detected, but in 5 out of 8 rats a cell‐mediated immune response was found accompanied in three of them by mild histological changes in the target organ. In a second group that underwent a more intense and extended immunization schedule, the humoral response was detected by complement fixation in only three undiluted sera. The cellular immune mechanism was found in 18 out of 20 rats through one or more of the tests in the study. Male accessory gland lesions in various degrees were observed in 15 cases and they were mainly represented by mononuclear infiltration. Whether a cell‐mediated or humoral mechanism is responsible for induction of the tissue damage observed in the target glands is discussed.

Experimental rodent models of prostatitis: limitations and potential

“…However, more intense and prolonged immunization schedules induced humoral responses. 82 Further variations in the doses and immunization schedules of MAG and various chemical modifications failed to increase the incidence of prostatitis. Typically, rat prostate morphology during the fifth week after antigen challenge was characterized by MNC infiltration into the interstitium, primarily centered around blood vessels close to the epithelium.…”

“…An autoimmune model for antigen-induced prostatic inflammation in rodents was first described by PachecoRupil et al 82 Male accessory gland (MAG) homogenate (prostate, seminal vesicles and coagulating glands) (15.0 mg total protein) with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) from Wistar rats was subcutaneously (s.c.) injected once on day 0 or twice on day 0 and 15 into syngeneic rats as antigenic material. An inflammatory reaction in the prostate was observed in three of eight rats (38%) on day 21 after a single inoculation of MAG.…”

Etiologic theories of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

“…Animal models have been used to look at autoimmunity. In rats, immunization with male accessory gland, a mixed organ homogenate of ventral, dorsal and lateral prostate, and coagulating gland promotes experimental autoimmune prostatitis [16]. This is characterized by a specific cellmediated response with CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltrates, no circulating antibodies, and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on the prostatic epithelial cells, which are normally only expressed by lymphocytes [17].…”

Etiologic theories of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

“…In rats, immunization with male accessory gland, a mixed organ homogenate of ventral, dorsal and lateral prostate, and coagulating gland promotes experimental autoimmune prostatitis [16]. Animal models have been used to look at autoimmunity.…”