Immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating and antigen-presenting cells in rheumatoid synovial tissue.
We analysed the proliferative activity of synovial lining cells (SLCs), the distribution of proliferating B and T lymphocytes and the relationship of proliferating B and T lymphocytes to the pattern of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within the rheumatoid synovial tissue (n = 21). The immunohistochemical detection of the proliferation-associated antigen Ki67 revealed low proliferative activity of SCL with and without expression of the Kim 8 (CD68) antigen. Ki67-positive B lymphocytes could be observed within secondary follicles (2/21), in small follicular dendritic reticulum cell (FDC)-containing follicle-like aggregates (7/21) and near the enlarged synovial intima (6/21). Ki67-positive T lymphocytes could be detected in T-lymphocyte aggregates (8/21), in the vicinity of blood vessels (18/21) and within the enlarged synovial intima (15/21). Semiquantitative analysis showed a strong correlation between the numbers of Ki67-positive B lymphocytes and FDCs and between the numbers of Ki67-positive T lymphocytes and interdigitating dendritic reticulum cells (IDC). There were significant differences in the number of Ki 67-positive B and T lymphocytes, IDCs and FDCs between the two groups of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with different local clinical activity. These findings demonstrate a low proliferation of SLCs with and without expression of the monocyte-specific antigen Kim 8 and imply that B and T lymphocyte proliferation occurs in the presence of FDCs and IDCs. These results indicate that the RA synovial tissue is a site for antigen-dependent proliferation and maturation of B and T lymphocytes. The atypical pattern of FDC distribution within the rheumatoid synovial tissue "dysmorphic follicle" may be regarded as morphological substrate for a dysmaturation compartment of B lymphocytes leading to pathogenetic autoimmune phenomena in RA patients.
Krenn
V
V
Institut für Pathologie, Universität Würzburg, Germany.
Schalhorn
N
N
Greiner
A
A
Molitoris
R
R
König
A
A
Gohlke
F
F
Müller-Hermelink
H K
HK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051918:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; C497867:CD22 protein, human; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D037102:Lectins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051918:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2