Characterization of the immunocompetent cells of rheumatoid synovium from tissue sections and eluates.
T lymphocytes positively identified by alphanaphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) (70%) were localized in perivascular "cuffs" in rheumatoid synovia. ANAE-negative lymphocytes (B lymphocytes) were primarily within the reactive lymphoid centers, whereas intracellular Ig-expressing plasma cells were outside the centers. Lysozyme of diffuse ANAE expressing mononuclear phagocytes (5-15%) were diffusely dispersed, but were seldom found in the lymphoid centers. There were few granulocytes (10%). On elution, plasma cells and lymphocytes were lost. Most granulocytes and mononuclear phagocytes in the eluate were immunoglobulin-positive. The in situ architecture is compatible with active immunologic inflammation and T-dependent immunoglobulin synthesis.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*