ZONAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHONDROITIN-4-SULFATE DERMATAN SULFATE AND CHONDROITIN-6-SULFATE IN NORMAL AND DISEASED HUMAN SYNOVIUM

Objectives-Chondroitin sulphate is the major sulphated glycosaminoglyc an present in the extracellular matrix of soft connective tissues and the aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of chondroit in sulphate species in normal and diseased synovium. Methods-Distribut ion of chondroitin-4-sulphate/dermatan sulphate (Ch4S/DS) and chondroi tin-6-sulphate in normal (n = 6), osteoarthritic (n = 4) and rheumatoi d (n = 10) synovium was determined using an immunoperoxidase technique and specific monoclonal antibodies to chondroitinase ABC-digested pre parations. Results-Ch4S/DS was expressed throughout the interstitium o f all tissues and was also present on blood vessels in rheumatoid samp les only. Ch6S was expressed in the lining layer of normal synovium bu t was absent from this site in osteoarthritic and rheumatoid tissues. Ch6S was also present on all blood vessels in all tissues. Conclusions -The distinct zonal distributions of Ch4S/DS and Ch6S and their altera tion in disease suggest these molecules have different and specific fu nctions in normal and diseased synovium.