Abstract
A massive accumulation of inflammatory cells
in synovial tissues is a major pathological feature of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). Neutrophiles dominate synovial fluid while
rheumatoid synovium is infiltrated with mononuclear cells.
Mechanisms regulating influx of particular subpopulations of
leukocytes into articular cavity and synovium compartment are not
completely defined. An increasing amount of data supports a
crucial role of a C-C chemokine RANTES in the RA pathogenesis.
Our objective is to evaluate chemotactic activity for
neutrophils (NCA), lymphocytes (LCA), and monocytes (MoCA) in SFs
obtained from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). We also
aimed to characterise the relation between chemotactic activity,
RANTES, and percentage distribution of leukocytes in SF. SFs from
11 patients with RA and 6 with OA were included in the study.
Modified microchamber Boyden method was employed to assess
chemotactic activity. Cytological and biochemical analysis of SF
was performed. RANTES was measured with ELISA. Rheumatoid SFs were
rich in cells with predominance of neutrophiles while
osteoarthritic fluids were lymphocytic. RA SFs were also
characterised by increased lactoferrin level. Both NCA and LCA
were higher in SF from patients with RA (