Stimulation of the hyaluronic acid levels of human synovial fibroblasts by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor α, tumor necrosis factor β (lymphotoxin), interleukin‐1α, and interleukin‐1β

Abstract

Monocyte/macrophage polypeptides (monokines) alter the properties of synovial cells. This interaction could explain some of the properties of the inflamed synovium in rheumatic disease. Only recently has it been possible to test the action of purified monokines on the target synovial cells. We report here that recombinant human tumor necrosis factor α, tumor necrosis factor β (lymphotoxin), interleukin‐1α, and interleukin‐1β stimulate the hyaluronic acid (HA) levels of human synovial fibroblast‐like cells. The effect of monokines was generally inhibited by indomethacin, suggesting the involvement of an endogenous cyclooxygenase product in the stimulation, and by the glucocorticoid, dexametha..