Glucocorticoid receptors in fibroblasts from synovial tissue. Changes during the inflammatory process. Preliminary results.

There is known to be a significant correlation between the number of glucocorticoid receptors in tissues and their anti-inflammatory effect. In this work, the specific binding of glucocorticoids was studied in inflammatory fibroblasts. Human fibroblasts were obtained from the knee joint of a rheumatoid patient undergoing surgery; experimental fibroblasts were from rat granulomas. The same study was carried out in quiescent synovial fibroblasts from a healthy subject (post-traumatic amputation) and from rat subcutaneous conjunctive tissue. Fibroblasts were obtained by explant cultures and subcultures in monolayers. The stimulation state of cells was evaluated by the amounts of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha released into the culture media. Analysis of the proportions of steroid bound to whole cells showed evidence of specific glucocorticoid receptors in all fibroblasts. Their number was three times higher in cells from inflammatory tissues than from controls. This increased number of receptors in inflammatory cells could be the result of the action of one or more mediators that promote their biosynthesis.