Effect of miRNA-146a-mediated TLR4 Signal Pathway on the Pain of Lumbar Disc Herniation

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2022 May 22;68(1):26-34. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2022.68.1.5.

Abstract

The current experiment was carried out to explore the effect of the miR-146a-mediated TLR4 signaling pathway on the lumbar disc herniation pains. For this aim, a total of 32 rats were divided randomly into 4 groups - the blank group (Group C), Model group (M), miR-146a overexpression group (agomiR-146a group) and negative control group (NC group), with 8 rats in each group. Rats in Group M were prepared for the construction of lumbar disc herniation models, while those in the agomiR-146a group or NC group, in addition to the model construction, would receive the intrathecal injection of agomiR-146a or agomiRNA-146a NC. Thereafter, a series of tests were performed for rats, including the mechanical pain test and heat pain test to measure the pain threshold, RT-PCR to detect the expression of miR-146a, and the transcription of TLR4, IRAK1, TRAF6, IL-6 and TNF-α, Western blot to determine the expression of IRAK1 and TRAF6 and ELISA to determine the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α. Results showed that as compared to the blank group, rats in Group M were more sensitive to the pains, presenting with declines in the thresholds in the pain, and upregulation in the TRL4 signaling pathway (TLR4, IRAK1 and TRAF6) and pro-inflammatory factors, including IL-6 and TNF-α. In comparison with Group M, intrathecal injection of agomiR-146a relieved the pains, with significant upregulation of miR-146a and downregulation of TLR4, IRAK1, TRAF6, IL-6 and TNF-α. Then upregulation of miR-146a could reduce the activity of the TLR4 signaling pathway and the release of pro-inflammatory factors, which may be a potential strategy for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterinary

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases / genetics
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Pain
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / genetics
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • Tlr4 protein, rat
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases