Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An analysis of the levels of complement components in the synovial fluid in rheumatic diseases

  • Originals
  • Published:
Clinical Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A linear relationship between the synovial fluid to serum concentration ratios and log molecular weight was found for six plasma proteins, which are largely synthesized by the liver. Production or utilization of a given protein in the joint can, therefore, be determined by its deviation from the calculated diffusion line. Based on this diffusion model the role of the complement system was investigated in the joint effusions of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 6 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 7 patients with meniscus lesions (ML). Among these three groups quantitative differences were found in the metabolism or utilization of several complement components, based on the fact that the ratios were lower than expected for diffusion of proteins of similar molecular weight. The ratios for the RA group were the lowest. In the three patient groups, results showed increased consumption mainly of C3 and C4 locally in the joint. The existence of a real complement activation in the joints of the three different patient groups was further proved by the elevated levels of C3 breakdown products (C3d). Overall this kind of calculation provides us with a method for studying the role of other proteins which may be important in the inflammatory process of the joint.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jones, V., Taylor, P.C.R., Jacoby, R.K., Wallington, T.B. Synovial synthesis of rheumatoid factors and immune complex constituents in early arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1984, 43, 235–239.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kushner, I., Somerville, J.A. Permeability of human synovial membrane to plasma proteins. Relationship to molecular size and inflammation. Arthritis Rheum 1971, 14, 560–570.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cecere, F., Lessard, J., McDuffy, S., Rope, R.M. Evidence for the local production and utilization of immune reactants in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1982, 25, 1307–1315.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ropes, M.W., Bennett, G.A., Cobb, S. Diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (1958 version). Ann Rheum Dis 1959, 18, 49–53.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Perrin, L.H., Lambert, P.H., Miescher, P.A. Complement breakdown products in plasma from patients with SLE and patients with membranoproliferative or other glomerulonephritis. J Clin Invest 1975, 56, 165–176.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Pruzanski, W., Russell, M.L., Gordon, D.A., Ogzyzlo, M.A. Serum and synovial fluid proteins in rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Am J Med Sci 1973, 265, 483–490.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hedberg, H. Studies on the depressed hemolytic complement activity of synovial fluid in adult rheumatoid arthritis. Acta Rheum Scand 1963, 9, 165–193.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Pekin, T.J., Zvaifler, N.J. Hemolytic complement in synovial fluid. J Clin Invest 1964, 43, 1372–1382.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Levick, J.R. Permeability of rheumatoid and normal human synovium to specific plasma proteins. Arthritis Rheum 1981, 24, 1550–1560.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Townes, A.J., Sowa, J.M. Complement in synovial fluid. J Hopkins Med J 1970, 127, 23–37.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bunch, T.W., Hunder, G., McDuffy, S. Synovial fluid complement as a diagnostic aid in inflammatory joint diseases. Mayo Clin Proc 1974, 49, 715–720.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Sheppeard, H., Lea, D.J., Ward, D.J. Synovial fluid total hemolytic complement activity in rheumatic diseases—a reappraisal. J Rheumatol 1981, 8, 390–397.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Fostiropoulos, G., Austin, F.K., Block, K.J. Total hemolytic complement and second component of complement activity in serum and synovial fluid. Arthritis Rheum 1965, 8, 219–230.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Pekin, T.J., Zvaifler, N.J. Synovial fluid findings in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1970, 13, 777–785.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kim, K.J., McCarty, D.J., Kozin, F., Koethe, S. Clinical significance of synovial fluid total hemolytic complement activity. J Rheumatol 1980, 7, 143–152.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Matsuura, M., Ruddy, S., Stillman, J.S. Complement component activities in serum and synovial fluid from patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Editor: Muller, W., New York, Academic Press, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ruddy, S., Austen, K.F. The complement system in rheumatoid arthritis I—An analysis of complement components activities in rheumatoid synovial fluids. Arthritis Rheum 1970, 13, 713.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bunch, T.W., Hunder, G.G., Offord, K. Synovial fluid complement: Usefulness in diagnosis and classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Intern Med 1974, 81, 32–35.

    Google Scholar 

  19. De Ceulaer, C., Papazoglou, S., Whaley, K. Increased biosynthesis of complement components by cultured monocytes, synovial fluid macrophages and synovial membrane cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Immunol 1980, 41, 37–43.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kaplan, R.A., Curd, J.G., De Heer, D.H., Carson, D.A., Pangburn, M.K., Muller-Eberhard, H.J., Vaughan, J.H. Metabolism of C4 and factor B in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1980, 23, 911–920.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Dr. Daniel den Hoed Clinic, Groene Hilledijk 301, 3075 EA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    A. J. G. Swaak, O. Planten, H. Han & O. Hattink

  2. Department of Auto-immune Diseases, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. J. G. Swaak, A. Van Rooyen & E. Hack

Authors
  1. A. J. G. Swaak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Van Rooyen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. Planten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. O. Hattink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. E. Hack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Swaak, A.J.G., Van Rooyen, A., Planten, O. et al. An analysis of the levels of complement components in the synovial fluid in rheumatic diseases. Clin Rheumatol 6, 350–357 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02206833

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02206833

Search

Navigation