Inhibition of experimental poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis in rabbits by IgG Fc fragments

Previous works in the rabbit with experimental acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis have demonstrated a pathogenic role of group A streptococcal M family IgG Fc binding proteins (FcBPs). In the present study, we showed that purified human or rabbit IgG Fc fragments, but not rabbit IgG Fab, were effective in blocking the development of glomerular changes in rabbits with initial steps of experimental glomerulonephritis induced by the IgG binding strain M1 (40/58). The findings were in agreement with our earlier data and might suggest new modes of intervention in this non-suppurative streptococcal disease.