We demonstrate a strikingly inhomogeneous distribution of most immune cells and fibroblasts within the sublining layer of both RA and OA tissue with a clear tendency of macrophages (CD68), synovial fibroblasts (CD55), plasma cells (CD38), mast cells (MCT) and endothelial cells (vWF) to accumulate in the upper sublining. This evidence concerns the gene VWF and rheumatoid arthritis.