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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
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Author Spotlight: Isolation and Culture of Primary Synovial Macrophages and Fibroblasts from Murine Arthritis Tissue
Published on: February 24, 2023
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Synovial lymphatic system structure and function in rheumatoid arthritis: lymphatic phases, telocytes, and
Yue Peng1,2, Daniel J Belcher1,3, Andriy Kobryn1,4
1Center for Musculoskeletal Research.
Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|March 5, 2026
Summary
Telocytes, crucial for synovial lymphatic function, are lost in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Exercise may increase telocyte numbers, potentially improving lymphatic drainage and reducing RA progression.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves changes in the synovial lymphatic system (SLS), progressing from lymphangiogenesis to dysfunction.
- The role of lymphatic vessels in joint effusion sensing and the impact of telocytes remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the synovial lymphatic system in joint homeostasis and arthritis.
- To explore the potential of exercise therapy in modulating lymphatic function.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on synovial lymphatics and telocytes.
- Analysis of murine models of arthritis, including telocyte depletion and gene expression studies.
- Preliminary investigation of exercise effects on synovial telocytes in mice.
Main Results:
- Peri-lymphatic telocytes maintain the extracellular matrix of collecting lymphatic vessels (cLV) and may signal to them.
- Depletion of telocytes in vivo worsened lymphatic drainage, synovitis, and bone erosion in a murine arthritis model.
- Synovial telocytes, marked by Efhd1, Dpp4, and Pi16, are absent in RA and inflammatory arthritis models.
- Ad libitum exercise increased synovial telocyte numbers in mice.
Conclusions:
- Telocytes are vital for SLS function and may influence joint lymphatic drainage.
- Loss of telocytes correlates with arthritis progression.
- Exercise may represent a therapeutic strategy to increase telocytes and mitigate arthritis.
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