Fig. 6

Inhibit the opening of mPTPs improved IVDD in vivo. A rat punctured IVDD model on Co7/8 and Co8/9 discs, and the Co8/9 disc was injected with CsA (10 µM), while Co7/8 disc was injected with the same amount of PBS. a X-ray and MRI T2 weighted images of rat tail. b The disc height index (DHI) was measured in the negative control, punctured + PBS injection, and punctured + CsA injection groups (n = 5). c The Pfirrmann grade was evaluated in the negative control, puncture + PBS injection, and puncture + CsA injection groups (n = 5). d Images of the H&E, safranin O-fast green, and Masson staining of rat discs in the negative control, punctured + PBS injection, and punctured + CsA injection groups. e–g Fluorescence images of TLR9, NF-κB, and NLRP3 in the negative control, punctured + PBS injection, and punctured + CsA injection groups. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001