miR-132-3p regulates notch signaling to relieve neuropathic pain in rats

Objective: To explore the effects of miR-132-3p and Notch signaling on neuropathic pain in rats. Methods: A neuropathic pain model was established in rats and mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were assessed. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microglial marker OX-42 (CD11b) were investigated by immunofluorescence. Spinal cord cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the relationship between miR-132-3p and Notch 1. QRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect miRNA and protein expression, respectively. Results: We found that miR-132-3p targeted and negatively regulated Notch 1 expression. The overexpression of miR-132-3p and/or the inhibition of Notch signaling increased the thermal and mechanical pain thresholds (both P<0.05), GFAP and OX-42 expression (both P<0.05) and decreased the rates of apoptosis in spinal cord cells (P<0.05). The activation of Notch alleviated the protective effects of miR-132-3p. Conclusion: The overexpression of miR-132-3p inhibits Notch signaling and relieves neuropathic pain in rats.