Antibody against α5 non-collagenous domain (NC1) of collagen IV induces Goodpasture's (GP) disease.
Autoantibodies target two conformational epitopes, EA and EB, in α5NC1 domain.
Structural analysis identified key epitope residues for antibody binding.
Immunization with α5NC1 domain induces glomerulonephritis and lung hemorrhage in WKY rats.
Occurrence of autoantibodies targeting α3NC1 and α5NC1 presents a conundrum for the etiology of GP disease.