Fig. 6From: SMAD2 inhibits pyroptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and secretion of inflammatory factors via the TGF-β pathway in rheumatoid arthritisIncreasing SMAD2 expression alleviated inflammatory and cartilage destruction in CIA rats. CIA rat RA model was established and treated with LV-SMAD2. A Thickness of the hind paw of rats in each group. B Arthritis index of rats in each group. C Representative photographs of the hind paw of rats in each group. D HE staining of ankle joint sections. E Safranin O/fast green staining of ankle joint sections. F–I Content of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and IL-8 in the serum of rats was determined by ELISA. The experiment was repeated three times and statistical data was presented as mean ± SD. In F–I, * means comparison between control and CIA groups. # means a comparison between CIA and SMAD2 groups. * ,# P<0.05Back to article page