Immune mediated cartilage destruction.

We review the pathogenic role of immune complexes attached to articular cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis. The available evidence suggests that these immune complexes may contribute to irreversible cartilage damage and loss of joint function. In addition, tenacious binding of these complexes to collagenous tissues, possibly by the establishment of covalent bonds, may constitute an important chronicity factor in this disease. The biochemical mechanisms that may be responsible for covalent cross-linking of macromolecules in inflammatory foci are discussed.