Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Detecting Migration and Infiltration of Neutrophils in Mice
Published on: February 6, 2020
Osteoclast numbers in Lewis rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis: identification of preferred sites and parameters
1Department of Pathology, Amgen, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA. bradgempath@aol.com
Abstract:
This study defined the best site for quantifying osteoclasts in male Lewis rats with mycobacteria-induced adjuvant arthritis. Hind paw sections of normal and arthritic rats (n = 6 per group) taken 7 days after disease onset were stained for osteoclasts using an anti-human cathepsin K primary antibody. Erosions and osteoclasts were assessed using semiquantitative scores (entire section) and quantitative measures (in calcaneus, navicular tarsal, and tibia). Bone area in arthritic rats was significantly reduced (P = 0.05) by 39-55%, with the greatest decrease in the tarsal. Osteoclasts in arthritic rats were significantly increased (P = 0.05) relative to normal in calcaneus (sevenfold), tarsal (194-fold), and tibia (threefold). The most useful quantitative indices were bone area and total osteoclasts, both defined as a percentage of total area measured. Semiquantitative scores for bone erosion and osteoclasts paralleled the quantitative indices. These data show that the navicular tarsal is the most sensitive site at which to assess arthritis in rats with this variant of adjuvant-induced arthritis.

