Figure 3.
Mast cells in the digits and knees synovial tissue: histopathologic manifestations and quantification. Analysis of the digits (a–e) and knees (f–j) joints showed intact (arrowheads) and degranulated (arrows) mast cells in toluidine blue-stained sections. Representative sections demonstrating histopathology of a DBA/1J mice digits joints exhibiting a higher number of mast cells on day 21 in relation to the knees tissue; however, the level of degranulated cells was higher in the knees. On days 32 and 42 degranulated mast cells number was similar in the digits but gradually decreased in the knees. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test Results are expressed as the mean±s.e.m. taking a P-value less than 0,05 as significant (n = 5 animals per group). **P<0.01 vs control group. Scale bars: 5 μm. v, vessel.