The expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules CR3 (CD11b) and p150,95 (CD11c) in synovial tissue was evaluated immunohistochemically. Although a significant proportion of synoviocytes in normal and osteoarthritic synovial membranes expressed the leukocyte common antigen and CR3, very few expressed the p150,95 molecule. In contrast, p150,95 was more evident in rheumatoid synovial membranes. Expression of this molecule was strongest in synovial membranes with a prominent macrophage infiltrate and accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes at the joint surface; p150,95 was also present on interdigitating cells in lymphoid collections. The patterns of expression suggest that these leukocyte adhesion molecules may be important in the diapedesis of mononuclear phagocytes into and through inflamed synovial membranes, as well as in cellular interactions within rheumatoid synovial membranes.