Fig. 2: Denosumab treatment delayed OA progression in a DMM mouse model.

A Safranin O/Fast green staining of knee joints in the indicated mouse groups at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after DMM surgery. Scale bar = 200 μm. The OA severity of knee joints was evaluated using the OARSI score (n = 6, biological replicates). B–D H&E staining images showing the infiltration of inflammatory cells and thickness of the synovium (dashed lines) in the indicated groups at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after DMM surgery. Magnified images of the boxed areas are shown in the panel on the right. Scale bar = 500 μm (left image); 100 μm (right image). Representative images are from six independent experiments. E Synovitis scores were measured (n = 6, biological replicates). F Representative views of the anterior of the knee joints in the indicated mouse groups derived from micro-CT analysis at 8 weeks after DMM surgery. Red arrowheads indicate osteophyte formation. G Three-dimensional μCT images of the sagittal view of medial tibial subchondral bone at 8 weeks after DMM surgery. (H) Quantification of the grade of OA change and tibial subchondral bone: BV/TV, thickness of subchondral bone plate (SBP. Th) (n = 6, biological replicates). I Pain analysis was performed using the von Frey assay to assess paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after DMM surgery (n = 6, biological replicates). Source data and P values are provided in the Source Data file. Data are presented as median with interquartile range. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test for multiple comparisons (A, E, H, I). ns = not significant, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001.