Localisation of vitronectin receptor immunoreactivity and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity in synovium from patients with inflammatory or degenerative arthritis

Article Abstract:

The presence of mature osteoclasts appears to be uncommon in the synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory or degenerative arthritis. Osteoclasts are cells associated with bone absorption and bone loss. It is not known whether immature osteocytes are recruited to a site and mature independently or whether immature cells in synovial fluid can differentiate into osteoclasts when synovial fluid comes into contact with bone. Synovial fluid samples were taken from 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 29 patients with osteoarthritis. Levels of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity and vitronin receptor immunoreactivity were measured and used to indicate the presence of osteoclasts. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase positive cells were found in synovial membranes from 60% of patients with RA and 69% of patients with OA. All 12 synovial membranes tested for vitronin receptor immunoreactivity were also positive. Despite the presence of osteoclast characteristics in synovial cells however, fully mature osteoclasts were uncommon in synovial fluid.

Osteoarthritis, Cell differentiation

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Cellular immunity to cartilage link protein in patients with inflammatory arthritis and non-arthritic controls

Article Abstract:

Link protein may play a role in the inflammatory process of rheumatic arthritis (RA) by triggering an autoimmune response but the role of measured T cell response to link protein is still obscure. Link protein is one of the proteins forming the cartilage matrix. Blood samples from 46 patients with RA and 44 volunteers free of RA were collected. Synovial fluid aspirated from the joints of 17 RA patients was also tested. T-cells were isolated and cultured and the proliferative response to exposure to purified link protein was evaluated. T-cells from 26% of RA patients' blood samples were stimulated by exposure to link protein versus 9% of healthy volunteers. However, the degree of stimulation remained within normal range for all but one RA patient and two volunteers. T-cells from 47% of samples of synovial fluid were stimulated by link protein. It is unknown whether sensitivity to link protein plays a causal role in the inflammatory response or results from it as cartilage is degraded and link protein is released into synovial fluid.

Development and progression, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cartilage cells

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Differential distribution of annexins-I, -II, -IV, and -VI in synovium

Article Abstract:

The location of various annexin concentrations may help explain their cellular function. Annexin-I is a protein produced in response to steroid hormones released by the adrenal gland and may play a role in the inflammatory response. Researchers analyzed tissue samples taken from the diseased joints of 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 4 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and normal joints of 2 patients with bone cancer (the controls). They stained the samples with annexin antibodies to visualize the distribution of annexins. The highest concentration of annexin-I was around the macrophage cells in the synovial lining layer of the RA samples. Annexin-II was present around macrophage cells in the synovial lining layer as well as around the blood vessels in the RA samples. Annexin-IV and -VI were present in the blood vessel linings and around the lymph cells of the RA samples.

Synovial membranes, Synovial membrane, Calcium-binding proteins, Calcium binding proteins

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