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Ann Rheum Dis 1997;56:262-267 doi:10.1136/ard.56.4.262
  • Extended reports

Characterisation of fibroblast-like cells in pannus lesions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis sharing properties of fibroblasts and chondrocytes

  1. Chengsen Xuea,
  2. Masayoshi Takahashia,
  3. Tomoko Hasunumaa,
  4. Hiroyuki Aonoa,
  5. Kazuhiko Yamamotoa,
  6. Shinichi Yoshinob,
  7. Takayuki Sumidaa,
  8. Kusuki Nishiokaa
  1. aDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan , bDivision of Rheumatology, Nippon Medical College, Tokyo, Japan
  1. Dr K Nishioka, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, St Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216, Japan.
  • Accepted 27 November 1996

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To better understand the characteristics of synoviocytes located in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pannus.

METHODS One cell line, termed PSC, was cloned from RA pannus lesions. Phenotypic analysis was done by contrast microscopy, indirect immunostaining, and safranin O staining. Transcription of several protooncogenes and matrix degrading enzymes was evaluated. The expression of mRNA for collagen II was detected by in situ hybridisation. The ability of anchorage independent growth was assessed by soft agarose culture.

RESULTS PSCs showed a high transcription of protooncogenes c-fos, c-myc and c-jun. They also expressed mRNA for matrix degrading enzymes, such as collagenase, cathepsin B, and cathepsin L. Anchorage independent growth assay demonstrated that PSCs formed colonies in soft agar culture. Phenotypic analysis showed that this fibroblast-like PSC was stained intensely with anti-vimentin and anti-fibroblast antibody. In situ reverse transcriptase assay showed that the cell line expressed type II collagen mRNA.

CONCLUSION Alternative fibroblast-like cells were identified in the pannus lesion of RA sharing properties of fibroblasts and chondrocytes. These findings suggest that this fibroblast-like cell derived from pannus lesions may contribute to the destruction of the cartilage in RA.

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