Fig. 2

MTX-NPs ameliorated the severity of collagen-induced arthritis. a A graphic scheme of CIA induction and vehicle, free MTX or MTX-NPs administration. Beginning 3 weeks after the first immunization with type II collagen (CII), mice were injected subcutaneously with vehicle, free MTX, or MTX-NPs twice per week for 7 weeks (n = 5/group). b Arthritis score and incidence are shown for each group. c At 70 days after the first CII immunization, tissue sections from the paw and ankle joints of mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (original magnification × 40). Lower panels show enlarged view of the region within a box in the upper panels in each group. Asterisk: inflammatory cell infiltration. Representative histological features are shown. Graphs present quantified levels of inflammation, bone damage, and cartilage damage. Values are means ± SEM. *, P < 0.05, **, P < 0.01, and ***, P < 0.001 vs. control group. Data are representative of two independent experiments