Furthermore, staining of CD3 upper layer (AUC 0.86, CI 95 % 0.69–1.00, p = 0.07) and CD55 middle layer (AUC 0.89, CI 95 % 0.71–1.00, p = 0.03) and the total stained area (CD3: AUC 0.83, CI 95 % 0.64–1.00, p = 0.014; CD55: AUC 0.89, CI 95 % 0.74–1.00, p = 0.03) provided considerable accuracy for RA tissue, whereas no difference was observed for CD38, vWF or MCT. Here, VWF is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.