FIGURE 3.

MyD88 is a mediator used by IL-1β to alter non-NMDA glutamate receptor activities in the spinal dorsal horn neurons. Recordings were obtained with electrodes containing the MyD88 inhibitory peptide (1 mm) in the intracellular solution. Under this condition, bath perfusion of IL-1ra (100 ng/ml) reversibly and significantly reduced the mEPSC frequency but not the mEPSC amplitude in spinal slices of neuropathic rats (A and C). Bath perfusion of IL-1β (10 ng/ml) significantly increased the mEPSC frequency but not the mEPSC amplitude in spinal slices of sham-operated rats (B and D). Bar graphs show the mean (+S.E.) amplitude and frequency for each tested agent. The number of neurons included in each group for the analysis is shown in each bar. **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001; NS, no statistical significance.