Pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in experimental ferritin-induced arthritis. V. Electron microscopic localization of specific antibodies in the synovial membrane.

ABSTRACT

Antibody synthesis by the arthritic synovium of rabbits with antigen-induced arthritis has been demonstrated, but knowledge of the details of the specific localization of antibody in the membrane is limited. Specific antibody in the synovium of ferritin-induced arthritis was detected by electron microscopic observation of bound ferritin. The specific antibodies were localized in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear spaces within plasma cells. In the extracellular matrix, specific antibody was found distributed as a network within collagen bundles and in the basement membrane of the subsynovial small blood vessels.