Histo-morphometry analysis was performed on the treated joints, to study the protective effects of BVCARHAdV5-PUMA treatment on the bone and cartilage. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase+ (TRAP+) osteoclast staining was reduced at several sites of the ankle area, including distal tibia, talus, calcaneus and navicular bones (Fig. 7e). Two areas remained TRAP+ in distal tibia and calcaneus, corresponding to the remodeling of growth plates, which are active in rats at this age. Elsewhere, pathologic osteoclastogenesis was abolished in the BVCARHAdV5-PUMA group. Mineralized bone was also protected, in the same sites as described with less TRAP+ osteoclasts (Fig. 7f). More mineralized trabeculae and less non-mineralized areas were observed in the bones of the BVCARHAdV5-PUMA group in comparison with the HAdV5-PUMA group. Finally, the regularity and the thickness of the cartilage were preserved in the BVCARHAdV5-PUMA group, especially at the talo-tibial joint site (Fig. 7g).