Distribution of lymphatic vessels in normal and arthritic human synovial tissues

[Guest guest]

Ann Rheum Dis. 2003 Dec;62(12):1227-9.

Distribution of lymphatic vessels in normal and arthritic human synovial

tissues.

Xu H, J, Banerji S, Prevo R, DG, Athanasou NA.

Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical

University, Xian, 710032, People's Republic of China.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution of lymphatic vessels in

normal, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) synovium.

METHODS: Synovial tissues from 5 normal controls, 14 patients with RA,

and 16 patients with OA were studied. Lymphatic vessels were identified

by immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against the lymphatic

endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1) and recognised blood vessel

endothelial markers (factor VIII, CD34, CD31). RESULTS: Lymphatic

vessels were found in all zones of the normal, OA, and RA synovial

membrane. Few lymphatic vessels were seen in the sublining zone in

normal and OA synovium which did not show villous hypertrophy. However,

in both RA synovium and OA synovium showing villous hypertrophy and a

chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate, numerous lymphatic vessels were

seen in all zones of the synovial membrane, including the sublining zone

of the superficial subintima.

CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic vessels are present in normal and arthritic

synovial tissues and are more numerous and prominent where there is

oedema and an increase in inflammatory cells in the subintima,

particularly in RA. This may reflect increased transport of hyaluronan

and leucocyte trafficking in inflamed synovial tissues.

PMID: 14644866

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org