Fig. 3
From: miRNA-23a/CXCR4 regulates neuropathic pain via directly targeting TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome axis
Spinal miR-23a regulates pain behavior via CXCR4. a, b Daily intrathecal injections of miR-23a mimics (a) or Lenti-miR-23a (b) for 2 or 3 consecutive days, respectively, reversed pSNL-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Two-way ANOVA (effect versus group × time interaction) followed by post hoc Tukey test, a PWL Fgroup (18, 112) = 10.24, PWT Fgroup (18, 112) = 12.02; b PWL Fgroup (18, 112) = 10.57, PWT Fgroup (18, 112) = 8.12, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 versus pSNL+Scr or pSNL+Lenti-vector group. c, d Daily intrathecal injections of c miR-23a inhibitor or d LV-miR-23a for 2.5 or 3 consecutive days, respectively, produced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in naïve mice. Two-way ANOVA (effect versus group × time interaction) followed by post hoc Tukey test, c PWL Fgroup (4, 36) = 26.64, PWT Fgroup (4, 36) = 24.42; d PWL Fgroup (8, 60) = 4.83, PWT Fgroup (8, 60) = 5.31, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 versus vector group. e, f Blocking CXCR4 with AMD3100 significantly reversed thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia induced by miR-23a inhibitor (e) or LV-miR-23a (f) in naïve mice. Two-way ANOVA (effect versus group × time interaction) followed by post hoc Tukey test, e PWL Fgroup (9, 64) = 27.84, PWT Fgroup (9, 64) = 12.69; f PWL Fgroup (9, 64) = 11.10, PWT Fgroup (9, 64) = 14.55, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 versus 0 h before AMD3100 injection. #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01 versus miR-23aIh + Sal or Lv-23a + Sal. Red arrow indicates pSNL surgery day. Blue or black arrow indicates injection time points of specified drug. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; n = 5 per group. g Intrathecal injection of CXCL12 further increased the thermal and mechanical sensitivity induced by miR-23a knockdown, with miR-23a inhibitor, in naïve mice. PWL Fgroup (6, 48) = 31.74, PWT Fgroup (6, 48) = 21.87; **p < 0.01 versus Scr + DMSO. ##p < 0.01 versus Scr + DMSO. &p < 0.05 versus miR-23a Ih + CXCL12. Black arrow indicates miR-23 inhibitor or Src injection. Red arrow indicates injection time points of CXCL12 or control DMSO. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; n = 5 per group