L5Tx and assessment of mechanical sensitivity
WT BALB/c and BALB/c CD154 KO mice were randomly assigned into sham and L5Tx groups. L5Tx and sham surgeries were performed as previously described [4]. The mechanical sensitivity of each mouse was measured with von Frey filaments (Stoelting, Wood Dale, IL) using the Up-Down paradigm (detailed in [20]) as previously described [4]. The fifty percent threshold force needed for paw withdrawal was calculated and used to represent the mechanical sensitivity. No significant differences in basal mechanical sensitivity were observed between WT and CD154 KO mice. The experimenter performing the behavioral tests was blinded to the experimental groups (including both the genotype and type of surgery).