Intravascular degranulation of neutrophils: an important factor in inflammation?

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are degranulated in the lumens of vessels in synovial membrane in humans with various types of inflammatory arthritis and in dogs with synovitis induced by urate crystals. This degranulation, accompanied by the release of lysosomal enzymes and vasoactive materials, may be an important part of the mechanism resulting in vascular injury.