Chondroclasts and osteoclasts at subchondral sites of erosion in the rheumatoid joint

M Bromley, DE Woolley - … & Rheumatism: Official Journal of the …, 1984 - Wiley Online Library
M Bromley, DE Woolley
Arthritis & Rheumatism: Official Journal of the American College …, 1984Wiley Online Library
Histochemical and ultrastructural studies of bone‐cartilage junctions from 21 rheumatoid
knee joints have demonstrated the presence of both osteoclasts and chondroclasts.
Significant erosions of bone and mineralized cartilage were observed in 15 specimens, and
6 showed localized erosions of unmineralized (hyaline) cartilage. Chondroclasts, defined by
their close association with both mineralized and unmineralized cartilage, were
morphologically and histochemically similar to osteoclasts. Our observations suggest that …
Abstract
Histochemical and ultrastructural studies of bone‐cartilage junctions from 21 rheumatoid knee joints have demonstrated the presence of both osteoclasts and chondroclasts. Significant erosions of bone and mineralized cartilage were observed in 15 specimens, and 6 showed localized erosions of unmineralized (hyaline) cartilage. Chondroclasts, defined by their close association with both mineralized and unmineralized cartilage, were morphologically and histochemically similar to osteoclasts. Our observations suggest that these multinucleate cells play a crucial role in subchondral tissue destruction, but that erosion of unmineralized cartilage is primarily the result of synovial pannus tissue.
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