FIG. 8.

Effect of A. suum (Ascaris) extract on neutrophil influx and joint histopathology in the CIA model. DBA/1J mice were sensitized to type II collagen, and neutrophil influx was measured as MPO activity in the homogenized hind paws (A). Falsely immunized animals were controls. Results represent means ± SEM (n = 6 animals for each group). Experiments were done two times. *, P < 0.05 compared to immunized mice. Representative HE-stained sections of the ankle joints of mice subjected to CIA that received the vehicle show severe cell infiltration (white arrow), cartilage thinning, and pannus invasion (black arrow) (B), as compared to that of an animal that received 1 mg of A. suum extract i.p., which shows preservation of the cartilage and marked reduction in cell infiltration (C). Original magnification, ×40.