When compared to the sham group, the upregulated DEGs in the SCI_C group were most enriched in TNF, NF-kappa B, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor, Leukocyte transendothelial migration, PI3K-Akt, focal adhesion and apoptosis (Fig. 7A; Table S4); the downregulated DEGs were most enriched in glutamatergic synapse, basal cell carcinoma, axon guidance, other glycan degradation and nicotine addiction (Fig. 7B; Table S4). Here, AKT1 is linked to nicotine dependence.