Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:14
Fabrication of a Biomimetic Nano-Matrix with Janus Base Nanotubes and Fibronectin for Stem Cell Adhesion
Published on: May 10, 2020
Synoviocytes synthesize, bind, and respond to basic fibroblast growth factor
V O Melnyk1, G D Shipley, M D Sternfeld
1Department of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) produce basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a key driver of cell proliferation. This finding suggests bFGF from synoviocytes fuels RA pathogenesis through autocrine signaling.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves destructive synovial tissue proliferation, resembling malignancy.
- The role of growth factors in non-neoplastic proliferative diseases like RA is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if synoviocytes are a source of growth factor activity in RA.
- To determine the specific growth factor involved in synoviocyte proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Assessed mitogenic activity in synoviocyte culture supernatants from RA, osteoarthritis, and traumatic joint disease patients.
- Characterized the biological properties of the mitogenic activity, including synergy with insulin and heparin-binding elution profiles.
- Analyzed synoviocyte extracts for peptides reacting with bFGF antibodies and assessed gene/receptor expression.
Main Results:
- Synoviocyte supernatants exhibited mitogenic activity identical to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).
- Identified a ~16,000 MW peptide in synoviocytes reactive to anti-bFGF antibodies.
- Demonstrated that cultured synoviocytes express bFGF, its receptors, and proliferate in response to bFGF.
Conclusions:
- Synoviocytes are a source of bFGF activity.
- Autocrine bFGF signaling by synoviocytes likely contributes to RA pathogenesis and synovial proliferation.
Related Concept Videos
02:26NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:11Fibril-associated Collagen
Fibril-associated collagens are a type of collagens present in the extracellular matrix with interrupted triple helices or FACIT (Fibril-associated collagens interrupted triple-helices). FACIT help connect and attach the collagen fibrils with each other as well as with other proteins of the extracellular matrix.
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
01:25Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM
Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix of embryogenic and adult tissue. These molecules primarily aid in regulating cell motility and attachment. A fibronectin molecule is composed of two identical polypeptide chains attached to each other by a pair of disulfide bonds at the C-terminal.
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...