Fig. 8

BCP increases CXCR2 mRNA and protein expression in the vlPAG. a Expression levels of CXCR2 in the vlPAG in sham group. b–d Upregulation of CXCR2 in vlPAG on POD 6, 12, and 18. Scale bars: 100 μm; Aq, aqueduct. e The statistical analysis of CXCR2 intensity confirmed the increase of CXCR2 expression in vlPAG after BCP. ***p < 0.001 vs. sham group. n = 4 rat per group. f Real-time PCR results show the increase of CXCR2 mRNA expression in the vlPAG. CXCR2 mRNA was increased from 6 days to 18 days after inoculation. ***p < 0.001 vs. naive group. n = 4 rat per group. g Western blot further confirmed a parallel and significant increase in vlPAG at 6, 12, and 18 days in BCP. ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01 vs. naive group. n = 4 rat per group. h SB225002 attenuated Walker 256 cell inoculation-induced mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. ***p<0.001 vs. BCP + 5%DMSO group; ^###p<0.001, ^##p<0.01 vs. BCP + SB225002 5 μg group; n = 8