VIM and synovitis: With the upregulation of C-kit, EMT markers (N-cadherin/E-cadherin and Vimentin) and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and MMP13) was increased in the synovium of OA rats (Fig. 5D and E), histological features of cartilage destruction (cartilage thinning and proteoglycan loss) were observed (Fig. 5F) and radiographic features of OA (joint space narrowing, bone marrow lesions, and synovitis) appeared in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Fig. 5G).