Different expression levels of TNF receptors on the rheumatoid synovial macrophages derived from surgery and a synovectomy as detected by a new flow cytometric analysis.

TNFalpha plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. It is very important to examine the expression of the TNF receptors, the ligand of TNFalpha. In this study, we developed a triple-color flow cytometric analysis using CD45 and CD14 monoclonal antibodies to simply detect the expression of the TNF receptors on the heterogeneous rheumatoid synovial cells. Using this system, we detected a higher population of macrophages and a greater TNF receptor expression on the synovial macrophages derived from a synovectomy in comparison to the findings obtained from knee joint replacement surgery.