The growth kinetics of synovial fibroblastic cells from inflammatory and noninflammatory arthropathies.

The growth kinetics of subcultured human synovial fibroblasts from 16 patients with inflammatory and noninflammatory arthropathies were studied in antibiotic free media. The experimental design allowed a clear distinction between the growth rates and final saturation densities achieved. The effects of refeeding and of the serum concentration were evaluated for each line. Inflammatory lines achieved significantly higher final saturation densities and growth rates than noninflammatory lines for most protocols, but the differences between rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid groups were less marked. Inflammaroty fibroblasts demonstrated a greater independence to nutritional and growth stimulatory factors in their microenvironment than noninflammatory fibroblasts.