Evidence for B-Lymphocyte's Maturation on Synovial Tissue without Germinal Centers of Osteoarthrosis Patients

Journal/Book: Z Rheumatol 1998; 57 Suppl. 1: 65 (P 82). 1998;

Abstract: 1Pathologisches lnstitut 2Orthopädische Klinik Univ. Würzburg; 3DRFZ Berlin Introduction: In the synovial tissue of the degenerative osteoarthrosis (OA) the scarse B-lymphocytes are found mostly on the perivascular areas without presence of follicular dendritic cells (FDC s). This means that no germinal centers or germinal center-like structures exists on these tissue. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyse if an affinity maturation takes place in these simple structures. Methods: RNA was prepared from tissue sections taken from 6 OA patients. cDNA was amplified using specific VH-primers and the variable regions were sequenced by means of a sequencing machine (MWG Biotech). Germline genes were identified by searching the EMBL/Genbank data base. Results: All the obtained IgVH genes were mutated being 88 % considered affinity mutated. The most expressed V gene class was VHI (12/15). Conclusions: In the synovial membrane of OA patients an evident B-cell maturation takes place. This seems to occur in lymphocytic aggregates wiyhout FDC s. We suggest that this maturation exists without a germinal center-like structure. This finding may explain the existence of autoantibodys against cartilage antigens in the joints of OA patients. le

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