Elevated miR-129-5p results in decreased FADD, collagen I and elevated collagen Ⅱ, aggrecan, Sox-9 in NP cells of rats in vitro. (a) The expression of miR-129-5p, FADD and Sox-9 in NP cells of rats in vitro in each group examined via RT-qPCR; (b) The mRNA expression of collagen I, collagen II, and aggrecan in NP cells of rats of in vitro each group examined via RT-qPCR; (c) Protein expression of FADD and Sox-9 in NP cells of rats in vitro in each group examined via western blot analysis; (d) Protein expression of collagen I, collagen II, and aggrecan in NP cells of rats in vitro in each group examined via western blot analysis; (e) Protein bands of FADD, collagen I, collagen II, aggrecan, and Sox-9 in NP cells of rats in vitro in each group. * vs the normal group, P < 0.05; & vs the mimic-NC group, P < 0.05; # vs the inhibitor-NC group, P < 0.05. N = 3; the data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis, and pairwise comparison after ANOVA analysis was conducted via using Tukey’s post hoc test.