Table 2.

Histopathological scoring of joint sections

Parameter	Score
Infiltrate
No infiltrate detected.	0
Modest leukocyte infiltrate in synovial tissue, no fluid leukocytes.	1
Moderate leukocyte infiltrate in synovial tissue and in fluid phase with loss of synovial architecture.	2
Gross leukocyte infiltrate in synovial membrane and fluid space with significant loss of synovial and articular architecture.	3
Hyperplasia
No abnormalities detected.	0
Synovial lining layer 2-4 cells thick.	1
Synovial lining layer >5 cells thick associated with moderate expansion of the sub lining layer zone.	2
Synovial lining layer >5 cells thick associated with significant expansion of the sub lining layer zone and potentially with loss of synovial architecture.	3
Erosion of cartilage/bone
No abnormalities detected.	0
Fibrillation of cartilage and/or mild erosive infiltration of periosteal and subchondral bone. Nuclei intact within lacunae.	1
Moderate fibrillation and loss of cartilage and/or moderate erosive infiltration of periosteal and subchondral bone. Nuclei may show apoptosis within lacunae.	2
Significant loss of cartilage and/or erosive infiltration of periosteal and subchondral bone. Nuclei show apoptosis within lacunae across a wide area of cartilage/bone.	3