Figure 3

Histopathologic score (HS) analysis of various histopathologic parameters in Tg197 mice. Synovitis, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion were semiquantitatively assessed in the ankle joints of Tg197 mice that were untreated, treated with P-NT.II, or treated with scrambled-P-NT.II (N = 4/group) at 4 weeks post-treatment (i.e. age 8 weeks). The HS indicates a protective effect of P-NT.II in all three histopathologic parameters of arthritis. Statistical analysis revealed a greater beneficial effect of P-NT.II on cartilage destruction and bone erosion (**P < 0.01 versus untreated or scrambled-P-NT.II-treated groups for both parameters) than on synovitis (*P < 0.05 versus untreated or scrambled-P-NT.II-treated groups).