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The CD34 antigen is a sensitive marker of vascular endothelium and angiogenesis. Thus, we examined the expression of CD34 in 20 human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) samples with internal derangement and in 10 control specimens by an immunohistological technique using paraffin-embedded tissue and specific anti-human CD34 monoclonal antibody. In the control specimens, CD34 was observed sporadically within the TMJ discs. On the other hand, in the internal derangement specimens, CD34 was found frequently in the walls of blood capillaries within the TMJ discs. In the synovial membrane, CD34 was detected frequently in the walls of many blood capillaries in both the controls and the internal derangement specimens. Indeed, CD34 expression in internal derangement specimens was more intense than in control specimens. In the posterior loose connective tissue of the bilaminar zone, and in the anterior loose connective tissue between the upper and lower lamellae of the anterior capsular wall, CD34 was detected in abundance in the walls of blood capillaries both of the controls and the internal derangement specimens. Generally, CD34 was found rarely in the walls of large blood vessels. The presence of CD34 is suggested to be correlated with the process of angiogenesis induced by internal derangement of the TMJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of lymph capillaries and blood capillaries in the synovial membrane was examined immunohistologically with anti-human collagen IV antibody and anti-human von Willebrand factor in 26 human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) samples comprising discs with adjoining synovial membrane from 10 control TMJs and from 16 TMJs with internal derangement. Three different distribution types were observed in the synovial membrane. In the control samples, the occurrence of blood capillaries and lymph capillaries was rare. In mildly hyperplastic synovitis, lymph capillaries were observed just beneath the surface of the synovial membrane, whereas blood capillaries occurred in a little deeper layer of the synovial membrane. In a severely hyperplastic synovitis, both lymph and blood capillaries were observed frequently. The present results suggest that the different distribution patterns of lymph capillaries and blood capillaries reflect the degree of synovitis but can not be attributed to specific clinical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is rare benign condition characterized by the formation of metaplastic cartilaginous nodules in the synovial membrane and joint space. Cartilaginous nodules from and may become pedunculated and detached from the synovial membrane, so becoming loose bodies within the joint space. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the proliferative activity of loose body and synovial membrane of SC in temporomandibular joint by using Ki-67 antibody. Material and methods: We obtained 4 specimens (4 female) of released loose body and 2 specimens of synovial membrane with attached loose bodies by surgical operation. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin solution, and embedded in paraffin. The immunohistochemical study was carried out using an anti-human Ki-67 monoclonal antibody. The sections were visualized by 3, 3′-diaminobenzidine-tetrahydrochloride (DAB). Results: The expression of Ki-67 was scarcely detected in all cases of loose bodies. In second phase cases, the mild expression of Ki-67 was detected at both cases of synovial membrane which were attached loose bodies. Conclusion: These results suggested that released loose bodies into the joint compartment did not have independent proliferating activity. However, the synovial membrane may play a very important role in the proliferation of the loose bodies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Primary synovial osteochondromatosis (PSC) is a disease of unknown aetiology. It was reported recently that expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR-3) was observed specifically in PSC. We classified six cases of synovial osteochondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) into two types of SC, PSC (five cases) and secondary synovial osteochondromatosis (SSC) (one case), by means of clinical findings and haematoxylin and eosin stain. The five PSC cases were classified into three different phases according to Milgram’s classification. Immunohistochemical staining of FGFR-3 was carried out for each SC case, along with specimens of internal derangement (ID) of the TMJ, and normal articular disc and synovial membrane. FGFR-3 was found in all three phases of PSC, but not in SSC, ID or normal TMJ. Moreover, in a comparison between cultured synovial cells of PSC (Phase III) and ID, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed a stronger positive reaction in PSC. These results indicate that the synovial membrane in Phase III PSC can produce cartilage nodules, as in Phases I and II. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]