Characteristics of mononuclear cell populations in chronically inflamed synovial membranes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Mononuclear cells [human] infiltrating synovial membranes in chronic synovitis were characterized in situ and in cell suspensions by surface markers and histochemical techniques. T[thymus-derived]-lymphocytes were the predominant infiltrating cell in rheumatoid arthritis and in other forms of chronic arthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis associated with Crohn''s disease. B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocytes were found exclusively in rheumatoid synovial membranes. These cells were demonstrable in true germinal centers and, focally and diffusely, in nodular mononuclear infiltrates lacking the histochemical characteristics of germinal centers. The synovial lining cells, unlike mononuclear phagocytes, had no demonstrable receptors for C3 [the 3rd complement component] and Fc.