Table 1 Histological grading criteria based on staining
From: Effect of sIL-13Rα2-Fc on the progression of rat tail intervertebral disc degeneration
Category | Score | Histological features |
|---|---|---|
AF morphology | 1 | well-organized AF, half-ring-shaped structure, collagen lamellae |
2 | Partly ruptured AF; loss of half-ring-shaped structure | |
3 | Completely ruptured AF; no intact half-ring-shaped Collagen lamellae | |
NP cellularity | 1 | Normal cellularity; no cell clusters |
2 | Mixed cellularity; normal pattern with some cell clusters | |
3 | Mainly clustered cellularity; chondroid nests present | |
NP martix | 1 | Intense staining; blue staining dominates |
2 | Reduced staining; mixture of blue and slight red staining | |
3 | Faint blue staining; increased red staining | |
Boundary between AF and NP | 1 | Clear boundary between AF and NP tissues |
2 | Boundary less clear; loss of annular-nuclear demacation | |
3 | No distinguishable boundary between AF and NP tissues |