Acid mucopolysaccharides closely associated with collagen fibrils in normal human synovium

By means of the ruthenium red method, acid mucopolysaccharides (AMP's) have been demonstrated in close association with synovial collagen. AMP-containing structures took four forms: an amorphous coat, transverse belts over the major bands of collagen, fine lateral filaments, and intermediate fibrils. The use of hyaluronidase and papain indicated that these structures most probably consisted of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid-protein complexes. Some AMP-containing material remained on collagen even after papain treatment.