Fig. 5.

Inhibitory effects of TAK-242 on the expression levels of inflammatory transcription factors (NF-κB-p65 and AP-1) in the synovial tissues of AIA rats. A The mRNA expression levels of NF-κB-p65 and AP-1 were determined by real-time PCR. Increased levels of NF-κB-p65 and AP-1 mRNA were significantly reduced by TAK-242 treatment. B Immunohistochemical analysis of NF-κB-p65 and AP-1 was carried out on tissue sections excised from (a) control rats, (b) control rats treated with vehicle, (c) AIA rats, (d) AIA rats treated with TAK-242 (3 mg/kg), and (e) AIA rats treated with TAK-242 (5 mg/kg). Scoring was also determined by staining intensity of NF-κB-p65 and AP-1 and finally combined into a total score. Magnification × 40. C Serum concentrations of IL-6 and VEGF were determined by ELISA. Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. ***P < 0.001 compared with control. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001 compared with arthritic model