Groupmembers Tom Smeets, PhD – Team Leader Analysis of serial synovial tissue samples is increasingly used in the evaluation of targeted therapies in an early stage of drug development. This approach may help to increase our understanding of the mechanisms of action of the therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, examination of the effects at the site of inflammation in phase I/II studies may be used for target validation and to demonstrate proof of priciple. The synovial tyissue analysis group fulfills a prominent role in phase I/II clinical trials, performed within the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. The synovial tyissue analysis group is responsible for the receipt, processing, sectioning, immunohistochemical staining and digital analysis of synovial biopsy specimens.The group, embedded in the Laboratory of Experimental Immunology of the AMC, consists of 6 experienced technicians. The laboratory is well-equiped and the work is performed in accordance with the rules of good laboratory practice. A Quality System according to CCKL guidelines is momentarily under development.
Marjolein Vinkenoog, operator/manager digital image analysis
Desiree Pots, research technician
Saida Aarrass, research technician
Ilse Burgman, technician
Annelies Vermeeren, technician
Rhisma Koeman, technician
Activities
The synovium lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces of the synovial joints and provides nutrients to avascular structures such as cartilage. Inflamed rheumatoid synovial tissue is characterized by hyperplasia of the intimal lining layer and by the accumulation of T cells, plasma cells, macrophages, B cells, mast cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. 
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