Proliferation of synovial tissue cells in rats with adjuvant disease.

Proliferation of synovial lining cells and fibroblasts in adjuvant arthritis of rats was investigated by autradiographic methods. As manifestation of the generalized experimental disease increased labelling rates of both cell types were found in all joints. While in the knee joint this cellular proliferation was of a short duration, it progressed in the ankle joint until the joints were destroyed. It is concluded that increased cellular proliferation is an important mechanism leading to joint destruction in adjuvant arthritis.