Fig. 5
From: miRNA-23a/CXCR4 regulates neuropathic pain via directly targeting TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome axis
miR-23a/CXCR4 regulates neuropathic pain via TXNIP. a, b Increased spinal TXNIP protein expression in pSNL mice was reversed by intrathecal injection of miR-23a mimics (a) or Lenti-miR-23a (b). Intrathecal injections began on day 7 after pSNL. TXNIP was measured at 24 h after 2-day miR-23a mimics injections or at 48 h after 3-day Lenti-miR-23a injections. One-way ANOVA (expression versus treatment groups) followed by post hoc Tukey test a F (3, 16) = 12.54; b F (3, 16) = 17.27, *p < 0.01, **p < 0.01 versus sham group. #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01 versus pSNL+Scr or pSNL+Lenti-vector group. n = 5 per group. c, d TXNIP protein expression increased by intrathecal injections of miR-23a Ih (c) or LV-miR-23a (d) in naïve mice was inhibited by intrathecal injection of CXCR4 pool siRNA. Intrathecal injection of CXCR4 pool siRNA was performed at 24 h after miR-23a Ih injections for 2 consecutive days or 48 h after LV-miR-23a injections for 3 consecutive days. TXNIP was measured at 24 h after CXCR4 pool siRNA injection. One-way ANOVA (expression versus treatment groups) followed by post hoc Tukey test c F (3, 16) = 18.1; d F (3, 16) = 31.69, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 versus vector group. ##p < 0.01 versus miR-23a Ih or LV-miR-23a group. n = 5 per group. e Daily intrathecal injections of TXNIP siRNA for 3 consecutive days reversed pain-like behavior induced by LV-miR-23a. Two-way ANOVA (effect versus group × time interaction) followed by post hoc Tukey test, PWL Fgroup (10, 72) = 13.05; PWT Fgroup (10, 72) = 3.68. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001 versus Lenti-miR-23a group; n = 5 per group. f Daily intrathecal injections of TXNIP siRNA for 3 consecutive days reversed pain-like behavior induced by Lenti-CXCR4. Two-way ANOVA (effect versus group × time interaction) followed by post hoc Tukey test, PWL Fgroup (10, 72) = 20.76; PWT Fgroup (10, 72) = 6.85, *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.0001 versus Lenti-CXCR4 group; n = 5 per group. Red arrow indicates pSNL day or vector/virus injection time points. Blue arrow indicates injection time points of Scr/siRNA. Data are presented as mean ± SEM