Ultrastructure of synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis.

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Abstract
Six cases of rheumatoid synovitis were studied. There was a marked increase in Type B synovial cells with associated hyperplasia of rough endoplasmic reticulum systems. There was an increase in the number of lysosomes and cyto-lysomes in synovial cells. Mitochondria showed many abnormalities, such as dilatation with distortion and displacement of cristae, and the formation of giant mitochondria. There was an increase in the amount of fine filamentous fibers in synovial cells and vascular endothelium. In some cells most of the normal organelles were destroyed and replaced by these fibers. Lipid droplets were more frequently encountered in rheumatoid than in normal synovium. Fibrinoid materialwas seen on the surface of the synovium and as focal deposits in the matrix. Evidence of phagocytosis of this material by synovial cells was observed.

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