Fig 2: Expression of TSLP in nucleus pulposus cells transfected with siRNA-1 against TSLP, siRNA-2 against TSLP, or siRNA-3 against TSLP, and expression of TSLPR in nucleus pulposus cells transfected with siRNA-1 against TSLPR, siRNA-2 against TSLPR, or siRNA-3 against TSLPR, detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Note: A, the mRNA level of TSLP; B, the mRNA level of TSLPR; C, grey value of TSLP protein band and the protein level of TSLP; D, grey value of TSLPR protein band and the protein level of TSLPR; qRT-PCR = quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, TSLP = thymic stromal lymphopoietin, TSLPR = thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor.

Fig 3: Immunohistology of MT and TSLP in DNFB-induced AD-like lesions in BALB/c mice. (A) Histopathological (H&E). (B) Immunostaining of MT. (C) Immunostaining of TSLP. (D) Immunohistochemical scoring of MT and TSLP. (a) Immunohistochemical scoring of MT in BALB/c mice. *P < 0.01 versus control group. #P < 0.01 versus model group on Day 1 and Day 7. (b) Immunohistochemical scoring of TSLP in BALB/c mice. *P < 0.01 versus control group. #P < 0.01 versus model group on Day 1 and Day 3.

Fig 4: TSLP expression between the case and control groups detected by immunohistochemistry. Note: A, TSLP-positive expression in the case group (×100); B, TSLP-positive expression in the control group (×100); there were 77 cases in the case group and 21 cases in the control group. TSLP = thymic stromal lymphopoietin.

Fig 5: TSLP and TSLPR protein expression in nucleus pulposus tissues between the case and control groups detected by western blotting. Note: ∗, compared with the case group, P < .05. TSLP = thymic stromal lymphopoietin, TSLPR = thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor.