Local proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes contributes to synovial hyperplasia. Results of proliferating cell nuclear antigen/cyclin, c-myc, and nucleolar organizer region staining.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that local proliferation contributes significantly to the hyperplasia of rheumatoid synovium.


METHODS
Immunohistologic and chemical staining was used to identify 3 markers of cell proliferation: proliferating cell nuclear antigen, c-myc proto-oncogene, and nucleolar organizer regions. Synovium from 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 34 with degenerative joint disease, and 7 with joint trauma was examined.


RESULTS
All 3 markers indicated substantial, active proliferation of synovial lining cells in synovium with hyperplasia. Proliferating cells showed type I procollagen immunoreactivity but were negative for CD68, a monocyte/macrophage marker. Proliferation was greater in rheumatoid arthritis than in the other conditions evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
In situ proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in the synovium lining contributes considerably to the increase in cell numbers in rheumatoid synovium.
Qu
Z
Z
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Oregon Health Sciences University, Casey Eye Institute, Portland 97201.
Garcia
C H
CH
O'Rourke
L M
LM
Planck
S R
SR
Kohli
M
M
Rosenbaum
J T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
D001324:Autoantigens; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc