RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of TGF-beta and IL-1beta on rheumatoid synovial cells. METHODS: Synovial cells obtained from surgical procedure of the rheumatoid joint were cultured with TFG-beta and IL-1beta The proliferative response of synovial cells was examined by non-radioactive cell proliferation assay. Fas-demiated apoptosis of synovial cells was measured by flow cytometry after addition of anti-Fas antibody. RESULTS: TGF-beta and IL-1betaproliferated synovial cells in a dose-dependent manner. They also made synovial cells resistant to anti-Fas antibody induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta and IL-1betapromotes synovial cell proliferation possibly through interference with Fas-mediated apoptosis, suggesting their role in synovial hyperplasis in rheumatoid arthritis.