Fig. 3.
Effect of uc.48+ siRNA on the expression of P2X3 immunoreactivity, mRNA, or protein in the DRG of DM rats. a, b P2X3 immunoreactivity in the DRG was detected using immunohistochemistry. Image analysis revealed that P2X3 expression (integrated optical density) in the DM group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01, n = 8 for each group). The P2X3 expression in DM rats treated with uc.48+ siRNA was significantly lower than that in the DM group. There were no differences in P2X3 expression between the DM group and DM + scramble siRNA group (DM + NC si group). Mean ± SEM, n = 8. **p < 0.01 compared to the control group; ## p < 0.01 compared to the DM group. c, d The expression of P2X3 mRNA was examined using RT-PCR. Image analysis revealed that the levels (integrated optical density) of P2X3 mRNA (normalized to each β-actin internal control) in the DM group were higher than those in the control group. The levels of P2X3 mRNA in DM rats treated with uc.48+ siRNA were significantly decreased compared to those in the DM group. There were no differences in the levels of P2X3 mRNA between the DM group and DM + scramble siRNA group (DM + NC si group) (p > 0.05). Mean ± SEM, n = 8. **p < 0.01 compared to the control group; ## p < 0.01 compared to the DM group. e, f The expression of P2X3 protein in the DRG was examined using western blotting analyses. Image analysis revealed that the levels (integrated optical density) of P2X3 protein (normalized to each β-actin internal control) in the DM group were higher than those in the control group. The levels of P2X3 protein in DM rats treated with uc.48+ siRNA were significantly lower than those in the DM group. There were no differences in the levels of P2X3 protein between the DM group and DM + scramble siRNA group (DM + NC si group). Mean ± SEM, n = 8. **p < 0.01 compared to the control group; ## p < 0.01 compared to the DM group