Localisation of glycoprotein moieties in the human synovial membranes. A lectin-histochemical investigation
Borisch, B.; Hüniche, K.; Helbig, B.
Zeitschrift für Mikroskopisch-Anatomische Forschung 100(6): 847-855
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-3107 PMID: 3590932 Document Number: 274226
In the present study fluorochrome-labeled lectins and unlabeled lectins were used with the PAP-method to analyze glycoprotein-moieties of normal synovial lining cells. The lectins under investigation were the following: Concanavalin A, Dolichos biflorus Agglutinin, Griffonia simplicifolia Agglutinin 1, Lotus tetragonolobus Agglutinin, Limulus polyphemus Agglutinin, Phytohemagglutinin-L, Peanut Agglutinin, Soybean Agglutinin, Ulex europaeus Agglutinin I and Wheat germ Agglutinin. With these lectins it was shown that the synovial membrane contains a large number of glycoprotein-residues, both intracellular and membrane bound. Most prominent were N-acetylneuraminic acid, mannose and galactosamine. These results lead to certain biochemical conclusions regarding glycoproteins in lubrication fractions of synovial fluid. Since the glycoproteins which we found to be localized on the synovial lining cells are similar to those found in the lubrication fractions of synovial fluid, we are suggesting that the synovial lining cells may be the site of production of these glycoprotein-containing substances.