Fig. 7

rDKK3 promoted the switch of microglia from M1 type to M2 type in rats with neuropathic pain. a–c Western blot and immunofluorescence results showed that rDKK3 ameliorated the up-regulated protein expression level of Iba-1 in the spinal cord and suppressed the activated microglia caused by neuropathic pain (^****p < 0.0001 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^####p < 0.0001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group). d–f Western blot results indicated that treatment with rDKK3 attenuated the increased protein expression level of CD16, CD86 and iNOS in the spinal cord induced by neuropathic pain (^****p < 0.0001 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^####p < 0.0001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group). g–i Western blot result indicated that application with rDKK3 up-regulated the decreased protein expression level of Arg1, CD206 and IL-10 in the spinal cord caused by neuropathic pain (^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^#p < 0.05, ^###p < 0.001, ^####p < 0.0001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group)