Ultrastructure of synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis.

Submicroscopic Structure of the Human Synovial Membrane

“…1). In the intercellular substance, indicated as synovial matrix, the cells are arranged relatively infrequently in the synovial membranes of the rabbit, guinea-pig and man (Barland et al 1962, Coulter 1962, Wyllie et al 1964, Ghadially and Roy 1966, Roy 1966, Ghadially and Roy 1967b, Mitchell and Blackwell 1968, Cherney et al 1970 Surface of a normal synovial membrane covered by a layer of matrix (s) with collagen fibres (K) sometimes even penetrating to the surface. The matrix is in contact with the joint cavity (C).…”

“…Of all the numerous later publications we mention the studies of Rayns.and Highton (1966), Roy (1966), Roy et al (1966), Roy (1967b, 1969), Bozdech and Horn (1970), Huth et al (1973), Klein (1974), Maldyk et al (1974), Wolf (1974a, b), Poole et al (1976) and others. Not only do these authors bring new knowledge about the structure of the synovial membrane under normal conditions, but they compare its appearance and fine structure under some pathological conditions and/or under experimental conditions, or they deal with the function of the synovial membrane (Maibach 1953, Castor 1960, Hamermann et al 1961, Ball et al 1964, Cochrane et al 1965, Adam 1966, Vainio 1966, Ghadially and Roy 1967a, Luckenbill and Cohen 1967, Muirden and Senator 1968, Webb et al 1969, Bhawan et al 1973, Cchiu 1975. In earlier studies (Lever and Ford 1958, Ghadially and Roy 1967b it had already been found that there were no differences in the fine structure of the synovial membrane of various age categories and that there were only small differences in the appearance of the synovial membrane of the different joints in man and other mammals.…”

Lysosomal enzymes and inflammation with particular reference to rheumatoid diseases

“…Had it been caused by the enzymes in the synovial fluid, erosion would occur simultaneously or patchily over the cartilage surface; had the enzymes been released from the chondrocytes the erosion would begin inside the cartilage and proceed outwards. Hence it seems that the erosion of cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis may represent a particular example of the concept of Dingle (1968b; Ghadially and Roy (1969). The polymorphs and mononuclear cells injoint effusions show increased phagocytotic activity with many micro-pinocytotic vacuoles.…”

“…Moreover increased pinocytosis may give rise to increased autophagy in which the cells break down their own components and release them as 'new antigens' for autoimmune reaction. Increased pinocytosis and autophagy have been reported in synovial lining cells (Ghadially and Roy, 1969).…”

“…Weissmann (1964; has argued that this type of phenomenon could be involved in autoimmunity. Antigens and other macromolecules such as fibrin (Ghadially and Roy, 1967) are taken up by endocytosis and are degraded in the phagolysosomes. Weissmann considered that autophagy (uptake of cytoplasm and organelles into lysosomal vacuoles of the same cell) would be induced by intense endocytotic activity.…”