RA Flashcards
How many layers of synoviocytes are usually found in the synovial membrane?
1 - 3
cells are cuboidal
What are the different types of synoviocytes?
Type A = bone marrow derived
- involved in immune surveillance
- makes sure synovial fluid entering joint space is aseptic
Type B = fibroblast like connective tissue cell
- makes hyaluronic acid which is added to synovial fluid
- makes synovial fluid viscous
- produces lubricin which acts as the barrier layer of synovial fluid
What is found below the layers of synoviocytes in the synovial membrane?
connective tissue subintima
- there is no basement layer/membrane
What composes the subintima layer in the synovial membrane?
- dense network of fenestrated capillaries (semipermeable)
- loose areolar connective tissue
What should synovial fluid (SF) usually look like? What is indicated if it is:
a. red-brown
b. yellow and cloudy
c. white/creamy and cloudy/shiny
d. colourless to yellow and purulent
SF is usually colourless to pale yellow and clear (should be able to read through it)
a. haemorrhage into joint
b. inflammation (typical of RA0
c. presence of crystals (gout)
d. bacterial infection
What is the normal pH of SF?
~7.38
How long should a ‘string’ of SF be?
Usually 4-6cm, but anything over 2cm is considered healthy
Describe the mucin clot test. How would a result indicating RA compare to a normal result.
Add a sample of SF into acetic acid/vinegar
Normal result: clear fluid and solid clot
RA result: cloudy fluid + solid clot or crumbly/soft clot
What changes occur to the synovial in RA?
- proliferation of synoviocytes (10-15 layers of cells)
- infiltration of inflammatory cells
- -> neutrophils in SF
- -> lymphocytes in subintima
- proliferation of fibroblasts in subintima causing thickening and fibrosis
What are Thelper 17 cells so important in the development of RA?
TH17 cells release/produce IL-17 and this stimulates osteoclast differentiation and maturation
How do synovial fibroblasts contribute to joint damage in RA?
secrete MMPs and cathespins
What upregulates the action of synovial fibroblasts in RA?
secretion of lymphotoxin-beta and TNF-alpha (cytokines) from T cell when presented with an antigen by B cells
What change can occur to macrophages under the influence of cytokines?
Macrophages in the synovial membrane and subintima can become osteoclasts
How is a pannus formed?
- Subintima becomes fibrotic and the synoviocytes continue to proliferate
- synovium becomes hyper plastic and a pannus is formed
Why is pannus formation such a problem?
Tidemark between bone and cartilage will disappear as pannus takes over
pannus is destructive – secretes cytokines and other signalling molecules and is involved in the erosion of articular cartilage
Explain the association between ACPAs and osteoclasts and bone erosion.
- Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) can stimulate osteoclast differentiation from monocytes leading to initial bone loss
- osteoclasts produce IL-8 which induces MORE osteoclasts by AUTOCRINE feedback
- IL-8 also sensitises nociceptors and contribute to increased pain
Which cell produces rheumatoid factor?
B cells
How can synovitis contribute to bone erosion?
- synovitis leads to production of cytokines
- this stimulates osteoclasts proliferation and differentiation
- this induces the expression of RANKL and synergises with RANKL to enhance bone erosions filled with inflamed, synovial derived pannus tissue
What is citrullination?
changing arginine to citrulline by deamination by peptides arginine deaminase which occurs during apoptosis
How does CD4+ T-cell infiltration contribute to bone erosion in RA?
T-cell infiltration, particularly Th17 infiltration, is a hallmark of RA pathogenesis
- th17 secrete IL-17
- induces RANKL on synovial fibroblasts
- activates synovial macrophages to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6)
- cytokines activate osteoclastogenesis either by directly acting on an osteoclast precursor or inducing of RANKL