[Localization of carbohydrate component in human synovial lining cells with fluorescent lectins and enzyme digestion]

FITC-conjugated lectins, Con-A, DBA, GS-I, GS-II, PNA, MPA, RCA-I, SBA, UEA-I, WGA were used for demonstration of lectin bindings of human synovial lining cells, obtained from the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), aseptic necrosis (AN), and traumatic injury (TI). In the RA samples, GS-I binding to the cytoplasmic sites was predominantly noted and moderate SBA and MPA bindings were observed. However, PNA was not significant. In the OA samples, predominant binding was found in GS-I and SBA lectins, moderate binding in MPA and PNA. In the AN samples, binding was predominant in MPA, moderate in GS-I, SBA and PNA. After neuraminidase treatment the intensity of fluorescence increased significantly with PNA and moderately with SBA in the RA samples. These results suggested that the inflammatory lining cells produce galactose group and the content of neuraminic acids in the synovial membranes of the RA appears to be greater than in those of other diseases.