Comparative distribution of proteins and glycoproteins of serum and synovial fluid

Abstract

The distribution of proteins and glyco-proteins in the synovial fluid and serum of normal patients and those with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases is presented. Joint disease tends to result in similar concentrations of protein in both serum and synovial fluid. Of particular interest is the distribution of alphaz glycoprotein. The relative concentration of this high molecular weight substance between serum and synovial fluid seems to be a most sensitive index of the semipermeability of the synovial membrane. Es presentate le distribution de pro-teinas e glycoproteinas in le liquido synovial e in le sero de subjectos normal e de patientes con arthritis rheumatoide e con altere morbos rheumatic. Morbo articular tende a monstrar simile con-centrationes de proteina in le sero e in le liquido synovial. De interesse particular es le distribution de glyco-proteina alphaz. Le concentration relative de iste substantia a alte peso molecular in le sero e in le liquido synovial pare esser un sensibilissime indice del semipermeabilitate del mem-brana synovial. HIS REPORT presents the results of a comparison of the distribution of T P roteins and glycoproteins, determined by zone electrophoresis, of the serum and synovial fluid of 10 patients without rheumatic disease and 71 patients with certain rheumatic diseases. The electrophoretic distribution of protein in the synovial fluid1 and a comparison of serum and synovial fluid proteins have been It has been shown that the synovial fluid in traumatic arthritis in comparison to serum from the same patient has a higher relative concentration of albumin (as a fraction of the total protein) and a lower relative concentration of globulin (as a fraction of the total protein). In rheumatic diseases with systemic reactions the synovial fluid globulins increase relatively more than the synovial fluid albumin; as a result, when expressed as a percentage of the total protein in synovial fluid (relative concentration), albumin decreases while globulins increase. Changes in distribution of proteins in synovial fluid quantitatively exceed any changes in distribution of proteins in serum. From the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundotion, Rochester, Minn. Abridgment of portion of thesis submitted by Dr. Decker to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the Uniuersity of Minncsotu in partial fulfillment of the rcquirernents for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine. The Mayo Foundation (Rochester, Minn.) is a part of the Graduate School of the Unioerdty of Minnesota. The authors would like to acknowledgc the technical assktance of Mr. Curtis Dunlap, Mr. Richard Goodwin and Mr. Sanford Ward. Ths authors are also indebted to the Section of Rheumtology and the Section of Orthopedics for their continuous cooperation and interest.

Synovial Cells: A Study of the Morphology and an Examination of Protein Synthesis of Synovial Cells

“…Coulter (1962) noted the frequent alignment of cysternae or elongated endoplasmic reticulum parallel to the plasma membrane in these cells, and in the opinion of Kemp (1957) this arrangement is characteristic of a protein-producing cell. The nature of the protein secreted is a matter of some interest for it has been presumed for some time that the proteins in synovial fluid all originate from the plasma and that synovial cells play no role in their formation (Decker, McKenzie, McGuckin, and Slocumb, 1959;Hamerman and Schubert, 1962). However, further study (Sandson and Hamerman, 1962) demonstrated the presence in normal synovial fluid of a protein bound to a small percentage of the hyaluronate, and it was thought probable that this protein might participate in the synthesis of hyaluronate in the synovial membrane cells, or that the protein might be added to the hyaluronate at the cell wall and play a role in the passage of hyaluronate into synovial fluid.…”

Hemolytic Complement in Synovial Fluid*

“…Serum antibodies and blood clotting factors are either absent or present only in small concentrations in normal synovial fluid (27). Minor degrees of inflammation, as in osteoarthritis or traumatic arthritis, change this selective permeability (28)(29)(30). The protein concentration rises, and greater amounts of globulin can be found in synovial fluid.…”

Immunoglobulins and complement components in synovial fluid of patients with acute rheumatic fever.

“…The concentration of a serum protein in synovial fluid depends upon its concentration in the serum and the degree of synovial permeability present (23,24) except when local synthesis or destruction occurs. Hedberg (4) showed a high correlation between complement and total protein in synovial fluids of patients with degenerative joint disease when these values were corrected for serum levels by employing the SF/S values.…”