Fig. 7: SOCS3 3′-untranslated region (UTR) was directly targeted by miR-3473b

a Schema of the WT and mutated SOCS3 3′-UTR indicating the interaction sites between miR-3473b and the 3′-UTR of SOCS3. b Dual luciferase assay in HEK293 cells co-transfected with the miR-3473b mimic and reporter vectors containing either the wild-type or mutated 3’-UTR of SOCS3. The Renilla luciferase activity was normalized to the Firefly luciferase activity (n = 4–5 per group). MUT: the construct with the mutated nucleotides in both binding sites; MUT1: the construct with the mutated nucleotides in the first binding site between 76–82; MUT2: the construct with the mutated nucleotides in the second binding site between 1301–1307. c The miR-3473b mimic, but not the NC mimic, inhibited the mRNA expression of SOCS3 in the BV2 microglia (n = 6 per group). d The miR-3473b mimic, but not the NC mimic, inhibited the protein expression of SOCS3 in BV2 microglia (n = 3 per group). e miR-3473b antagomir increased the SOCS3 mRNA expression in the LPS-treated BV2 cells (n = 5 per group). f miR-3473b antagomir increased the SOCS3 protein expression in the LPS-treated BV2 cells (n = 4 per group). g mRNA levels of SOCS3 in the cortical tissue of sham-operated and MCAO mice treated with miR-3473b or NC antagomir (n = 5 per group). h Protein levels of SOCS3 in the cortical tissue of sham-operated and MCAO mice treated with miR-3473b or NC antagomirs (n = 4 per group). Contra: contralateral side; Ipsil: ipsilateral side. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 compared between the indicated groups