(a–d) Cartilage degradation in medial regions of stifle joints from C57BL/6J FcεRIα-sufficient (Fcer1a+/+,n = 8) and FcεRIα-deficient (Fcer1a-/-,n = 8) mice 20 weeks after DMM surgery. Representative safranin-O stained medial stifle joint sections from these mice are shown; arrowheads show severe cartilage loss. Cartilage degradation (b), osteophyte formation (c), and synovitis (d) in medial regions of stifle joints from these mice are quantified. Symbols represent scores from individual mice. Bars denote mean ± s.d. *p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, by Mann Whitney test. Scale bars, 200 μm. Scoring of joint pathologies was done by two investigators blinded to experimental groups. Data are representative of two independent experiments with similar results. DMM, destabilization of the medical meniscus. (e–h) Cartilage degradation in medial regions of stifle joints from C57BL/6J mice subjected to DMM surgery and then orally with vehicle (n = 6) or 75 mg/Kg/day of the Syk inhibitor PRT062607 (n = 7), for 12 weeks. Representative Safranin-O stained medial stifle joint sections from these mice are shown (e); arrowheads show severe cartilage loss. Cartilage degeneration (f), osteophyte formation (g), and synovitis (h) in medial regions of stifle joints from these mice are quantified. Symbols represent scores from individual mice. Bars denote mean ± s.d., **p≤0.01, by Mann Whitney test. Scale bars, 200 μm. Scoring of joint pathologies was done by two investigators blinded to experimental groups. (i) Relative mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory/degradative enzyme genes in mouse stifle joints. Data are representative of two independent experiments with similar results. DMM, destabilization of the medical meniscus.