"Epithelial Transformation" of Human Synovial Connective Tissue Cells: Cytologic and Biochemical Consequences

Abstract

Primary cultures of fibroblast-like cells from rheumatoid synovial tissue changed in vitro to a cell population exhibiting epithelial morphology, heteroploidy, altered growth characteristics, and decreased capacity to synthesize hyaluronic acid. Quantitative changes in the protein and nucleic acid composition of the cells were also demonstrated.