Fig. 7: Denosumab also attenuated synovitis in a canine model.

A Schematic illustration of the surgery and treatment plan in the ACLT-induced OA canine model. Created in BioRender. Hu, Y. (2025) https://BioRender.com/pbs6sij. B Representative macroscopic images of anterior views of the knee joint isolated from the indicated dog groups at 2 months after ACLT surgery. Yellow arrows indicate articular cartilage damage. Macroscopic cartilage scoring was quantified based on the OARSI scoring system (n = 6, biological replicates). C Representative MRI images of knee joints at 2 months after ACLT surgery in the indicated beagle dogs. Red arrows indicate the effusion of joint cavity and suprapatellar bursa. SAG, the sagittal MRI view of the knee joint. TRA, the transverse axis MRI view of the knee joint. D The medial articular cartilage thickness and effusion-synovitis score were quantified using MRI images (n = 6, biological replicates). E Representative Safranin O/Fast green staining of tibial plateau and H&E staining of synovium among Sham, ACLT and ACLT + denosumab dog groups. Magnified images of the boxed areas are shown in the panel below. Scale bar = 500 μm (upper image); 100 μm (lower image). F Mankin score, OARSI score, and Synovitis score were quantified (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 (B, D,F). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001.