Fig. 7
From: Mitochondrial DNA induces nucleus pulposus cell pyroptosis via the TLR9-NF-κB-NLRP3 axis
Inhibit TLR9 activation improved IVDD in vivo. A rat punctured IVDD model on Co7/8 and Co8/9 discs, and the punctured Co8/9 disc and injected with E6446 (10 µM), while punctured Co7/8 disc and injected with the same amount of PBS. a Representative X-ray and MRI T2 weighted images of a rat tail. b The disc height index (DHI) was measured in the negative control, puncture + PBS injection, and puncture + E6446 injection groups (n = 5). c The Pfirrmann grade was evaluated in the negative control, puncture + PBS injection, and puncture + E6446 injection groups (n = 5). d Representative images of the H&E, safranin O-fast green, and Masson staining of rat discs in the negative control, puncture + PBS injection, and puncture + E6446 injection groups. e–g Representative fluorescence images of TLR9, NF-κB, and NLRP3 in the negative control, puncture + PBS injection, and puncture + E6446 injection groups. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001