Synovial Proliferation induced by Polysaccharides

Abstract

ONE of the characteristic histopathological changes that occur in rheumatoid arthritis is the formation of pannus. This synovial granulation tissue grows over the surface of the articular cartilage, and in so doing erodes the underlying matrix. If remission of the disease process occurs at this stage, then the resulting abnormal joint surfaces will eventually lead to the development of secondary osteoarthritic changes, irrespective of further exacerbations in rheumatoid disease. The development of synovial pannus is therefore of critical importance in the natural history of the disease process in a given joint, and the study of substances that are capable of producing a similar condition in experimental animals is of interest.