IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF KERATAN SULFATE, CHONDROITIN-4-SULFATE, AND CHONDROITIN-6-SULFATE IN PERIPROSTHETIC BREAST CAPSULES EXHIBITING SYNOVIAL METAPLASIA

The distribution of various proteoglycans and basement membrane compon ents within 10 breast capsules with synovial metaplasia was assessed i mmunohistochemically. Immunoreactive keratan sulfate and chondroitin-4 -sulfate were present in many of the synovial metaplasia lining cells, suggesting active secretion of these proteoglycans into the intrapros thetic space. In contrast, chondroitin-6-sulfate was confined to the e xtracellular matrix of the underlying supporting fibrous capsule. Type IV collagen and laminin were not associated with the synovial metapla sia lining, thus confirming the absence of a basement membrane, as pre viously indicated by morphologic analysis. As with tendon reconstructi on, the development and maintenance of a syovial metaplasia lining tha t secretes lubricating factors such as proteoglycans may be beneficial for decreased capsular contracture.