VASCULAR NETWORKS FROM EXPLANTS OF HUMAN SYNOVIALIS IN VITRO.

Abstract

AbstractExplants of human synovialis obtained surgically were cultivated under dialysis membrane in the multipurpose Rose chamber and in Eagle's medium enriched with 20% pooled human cord sera. Within 24 hours monocytes and lymphocytic cells emerged from the majority of explants while spindle and stellate cells appeared later on the second and third days of culture. A monolayer of cells developed in which active mitosis was observed. Between 12 to 15 days, fingerlike projections of cells adjacent to the explants branched out between the cover glass and the monolayer of mesenchymelike growth and by the twenty‐fifth day had developed into anastomosing networks eventually ranging in length from 1.2 to 3.2 mm. Ciné and still phase photomicrographs decumented findings. Vascular networks developed in vitro in 85% of the total 80 Rose chambers examined over an average period of 58 days. Minute vessels, patent for only short distances, were lined with endothelial cells characterized by slender elongated nuclei and with two or three small nucleoli. In contrast, flanking fibroblasts were considerably larger with clear oval nuclei containing conspicuous nucleoli. Differential stains demonstrated reticular fibers and distinct bundles of collagen lying along the vessels, particularly in the area adjacent to the fragment. In the study of rheumatoid arthritis, where vascular lesions are known to occur, it is possible that such preparations may provide favorable test objects.