Detection and quantitation of stem cell factor (kit ligand) in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatic disease.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and quantitate stem cell factor (SCF; kit ligand) in the serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare these values with those measured in normal serum, RA serum, SF of patients with other rheumatic diseases, and conditioned medium from cultured synoviocytes.


METHODS
SCF was measured in serum, SF, and conditioned synovial cell culture medium by a sensitive ELISA. Results were correlated with hematologic variables including white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rheumatoid factor.


RESULTS
SCF levels in RA SF exceeded those measured in RA serum, osteoarthritis SF, and SF from patients with other inflammatory arthropathies. SCF was detectable in conditioned medium from cultured synoviocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of SCF are present in RA serum and SF. Local production of SF may influence expansion of myeloid progenitor cells and mast cell function in RA.
Carsons
S E
SE
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
Santiago-Schwarz
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Diola
C
C
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D019089:Stem Cell Factor