HLA-DR expression in synovial memberane of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis versus osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to compare, by immunohistochemistry, the HLA-DR expressing cells in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] and the early osteoarthritis [OA] synovial membranes [SMs]. Synovium was obtained by blind needle biopsy from knee joints of 13 patients with JRA and 15 with early OA. Synovial membranes were stained with a RDFR2 and ML30 monoclonal antibodies [mAbs]to assess the intensity of HLA-DR expressing cells. Significantly greater percentages of HLA-DR expressing cells were detected in rheumatoid SMs when compared with osteoarthritic SMs