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Table 1 Histological score for evaluation of pathological changes in synovial membrane, cartilage, bone and blood vessels

From: Effect of M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor deficiency on collagen antibody-induced arthritis

Score

Synovial membrane

Cartilage

Bone

α-SMA

0

No changes

No changes

No changes

Few blood vessels, none with thickened walls

1

>2 cell layers, moderate immune cell infiltration

Erosion in parts of cartilage surface

Bone remodeling only close to the joint capsule

Few blood vessels, few with thickened walls

2

>5 cell layers, strong immune cell infiltration, starting pannus formation

Erosion of cartilage surface, cartilage destruction

Bone remodeling also in deeper parts reaching epiphyseal plate

Increased number of blood vessels, some of them with thickened walls

3

Like score 2 + pannus formation + more blood vessels

Like score 2 + cartilage covered by connective tissue

Like score 2 + bone degradation

Many blood vessels, most of them (more than 50 %) with thickened walls

  1. α-SMA alpha-smooth muscle actin