Fig. 5

Local delivery of TA encapsulated in TG-18 hydrogel improves therapeutic efficacy compared to free TA in a mouse model of IA. a Experimental outline: Arthritis was induced by i.p. injection of 37.5 µl K/BxN serum on day 0 and day 2. Immediately after the second dose of K/BxN serum, TA-loaded TG-18 hydrogel (TA gel, 20 mg TA/ml, 4 µl), free TA (20 mg TA/ml, 4 µl), or blank TG-18 hydrogel (Blank gel, 4 µl) were injected into the right hindpaw. Every other day, arthritis severity was scored clinically and paw swelling was measured with calipers. b, c RHP clinical score curves and their AUCs (***P < 0.001). d, e Change in RHP thickness curves and their AUCs (**P < 0.01). f, g Total clinical score curves and their AUCs (****P < 0.0001). h, i Change in total paw thickness curves and their AUCs (*P < 0.05). P-values were determined by one-way Anova with Tukey’s post hoc analysis. Data are means ± SEM (n = 18–20 mice per group, data were pooled from three independent experiments)