Fig. 9

Exosomal miR-216a-5p regulates microglial M1/M2 polarization by targeting TLR4. a-h A series of gain- and loss-of-function experiments including ELISA (a and c), qRT-PCR (b and d), western blot (e and f) and immunofluorescence (g and h) were carried out to verify the functional role of TLR4 on microglial polarization in BV2 and primary microglia. a and c ELISA assays were conducted to evaluate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Rescue experiments for miR-216a-5p overexpression were carried out by the ectopic expression of TLR4 in BV2 microglia. Rescue experiments for miR-216a-5p inhibition were conducted by downregulating TLR4 in primary microglia. Microglial M1/2 polarization was detected by qRT-PCR (b and d), western blot analysis (e and f) and immunofluorescence (g and h). ^*P < 0.05 and ^#P < 0.05