Figure 2
Cathepsin S inhibition is more potent than MMF in suppressing kidney pathology. (A) Kidney sections of 19 week old MRL-(Fas)lpr mice of all groups were stained with periodic acid-schiff (PAS). The lupus nephritis disease activity index (A, score ranging from 0 to 24), and the lupus nephritis chronicity index score (C, ranging from 0 to 12) were determined as markers of kidney damage in lupus nephritis. Representative PAS staining kidney sections and immunofluorescence stainings for the endothelial cell marker CD31 were shown at an original magnification of x400 (scale 25 µm) (D). The quantitative analysis of glomerular complement C3 positivity (B) and CD31 positivity (E) are shown. Data are expressed as means ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 versus vehicle group.
