Fig. 6

Inhibition of miRNA-146a-5p leads to aggravated neuropathic pain and increased IRAK1 and TRAF6 expression in rat DRG and SDH after CCI. a, b Intrathecal injection of miRNA-146a-5p antagomir aggravated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia (a) and thermal hyperalgesia (b). Each administration is indicated by an arrow on 0, 4, 8, and 12 days after CCI operation. Two-way ANOVA, *P < 0.05, versus CCI + Ctrl. miRNA-146a-5p antagomir was administrated i.t. in a volume of 20 μL. The negative miRNA antagomir was used in the control group. Eight rats were included in each group. c, d qPCR showing mRNA level of IRAK1 mRNA in SDH (c) and DRG (d) after miRNA-146a-5p antagomir administration. e, f qPCR showing mRNA level of TRAF6 in SDH (e) and DRG (f) after miRNA-146a-5p antagomir administration. n = 4 in each group of c–f, Student’s t test, *P < 0.05, versus control. g–j Western blot showing protein level of IRAK1, TRAF6, and pNF-κB (p65) in SDH (g, h) and DRG (i, j) after miRNA-146a-5p antagomir administration. Data summary of western blot results in SDH (h) and DRG (j) is shown on the right. n = 4 in each group, Student’s t test, *P < 0.05 versus sham