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Fig. 3 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 3

From: Prolactin blocks the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand and reduces osteoclastogenesis and bone loss in murine inflammatory arthritis

Fig. 3

Joint inflammation and expression of proinflammatory cytokines and of transcription factors and cytokines related to T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells are enhanced in prolactin (PRL)-receptor-null mice with monoarticular adjuvant-induced arthritis (MAIA). Mice null (Prlr-/-) or not (Prlr+/+) for PRL receptors were injected with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the right knee joint once every 7 days to induce MAIA. The experiments ended on day 18 after the initial CFA injection, when all evaluations were performed. a Time course of knee circumference in control and MAIA groups. b Quantification by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of Tnfa, Il1b, Il6, and Ifng mRNA levels in the knee joints. c qRT-PCR quantification of the mRNA levels of the Th17-cell-related transcription factors, Rora and Rorc, and cytokine genes Il17a, Il21, Il22, and Il23 in the knee joints. d qRT-PCR quantification of the mRNA levels of the regulatory-T-cell-related transcription factor Foxp3 and cytokine genes Ebi3, Il12a, Tgfb1, Il10 in the knee joints. Values are means ± SEM (n = 8–12). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, n.s. non-significant

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