Fig. 7: Effects of miR-129/IGF-1/IGF-1R pathway on neurite outgrowth in co-culture system of DRG neurons and SCs.

a Schematic diagrams of DRG neurons and SCs co-culture system. b The protein expression of IGF-1R in DRG neurons transfected with IGF-1R siRNA (si IGF-1R) was significantly decreased as compared to that in neurons transfected with siRNA control (si Con). c Immunostaining with anti-β-Tubulin III showing that neurite outgrowth was decreased in co-cultured SCs transfected with miR-129 mimic and DRG neurons transfected with control siRNA, but no change in co-culture with DRG neurons transfected with IGF-1R siRNA. d SCs transfected with miR-129 inhibitor increased the neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons, while the effect was abrogated by co-transfection with miR-129 inhibitor plus IGF-1 siRNA in SCs. e Migration of SCs was decreased in co-cultures SCs with IGF-1R knocking down and DRG neurons with miR-129 mimic and control, but no change in co-culture with SCs transfected with IGF-1R siRNA. DRG neurons transfected with miR-129 inhibitor increased the migration of SCs, while the effect was not significant in SCs transfected with IGF-1R siRNA. Scale bar: 50 μm. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 versus respective controls. NC (mimic control), anti-NC (inhibitor control)