Fig. 7

siHOTAIR partially prevents intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in vivo. a Radiographic images and representative T2-weighted MR sagittal images of rat tails at 4 weeks post-surgery. b Pfirrmann MRI grade scores of three groups at 4 weeks post-surgery. c The disc height index (DHI) was calculated at 4 weeks post-surgery. d Representative H&E staining of disc samples from different experimental groups at 4 weeks post-surgery. Magnification × 40. e Histological scores at 4 weeks post-surgery in three groups. Data are presented as mean ± SD from at least 3 samples for each group in 3 independent experiments. Data were analyzed using Student’s t test. *P < 0.05 vs. Sham + vector group. ^#P < 0.05 vs. IDD + vector group