Summary
The distribution of fibronectin in the lining layer of inflamed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium has been ultrastructurally investigated using an anti-human plasma fibronectin antibody.
The hyperplasia of lining cells was prominent in the lining layer of the inflamed RA synovium. A high level of fibronectin was localized in this region. Ultrastructurally the fibronectin was observed on the surface of both type A (type M) and type B (type F) cells, and in the extracellular fibrin-like material. This glycoprotein was detectable in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), some Golgi apparatus, and peripheral vesicles of type B cells. On the other hand, RER and Golgi apparatus of type A cells failed to be immunostained with the antibody. Type A cells occasionally contacted each other with interdigitation of cytoplasmic processes, and a high amount of fibronectin was localized in this region.
These findings indicate that fibronectin is synthesized along the classic secretory pathway through RER and Golgi apparatus of type B cells. On the contrary, type A cells seem not to be associated with the local synthesis of the glycoprotein. Fibronectin may play a structural role in organizing these proliferated lining cells by promoting cell adhesion. The synthesis of fibronectin by proliferated type B cells may be responsible in part for the local increase of this glycoprotein in the lining layer of RA synovium.
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Matsubara, T., Spycher, M.A., Rüttner, J.R. et al. The ultrastructural localization of fibronectin in the lining layer of rheumatoid arthritis synovium: The synthesis of fibronectin by type B lining cells. Rheumatol Int 3, 75–79 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541148
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541148