Cellular junctions in normal and inflammatory human synovial membrane revealed by tannic acid and freeze fracture.

Cellular junctions between synovial cells and endothelial cells of the microvasculature were examined in 10 normal and 20 inflammatory human synovial membranes by means of tannic acid and freeze fracture, Gap junctions and desmosomes predominated on synovial cells, and tight junctions in the microvasculature. Comparison between normal and inflammatory synovial membranes did not demonstrate changes in cellular contacts that might be caused by inflammation.