Objective: To explore the role of miR-411/FasL in acute spinal cord injury (ASCI). Methods: The ASCI rat model was established, and expression of miR-411 and Fas ligand (FasL) was examined. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the rats' neurological function. PC12 oxygen -glucose deprivation (OGD) model was also established. Gene manipulation (including miR411 mimic or inhibitor) was used to modulate gene expression. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the targeting relationship between miR-411 and FasL. Flow cytometry was applied in the measurement of PC12 cell apoptosis. Finally, the miR-411 mimic was injected into the vertebral canal of ASCI rats to determine the effects of miR-411 in vivo. Results: Compared with sham group, the expression of miR-411 and FasL was significantly decreased and increased in ASCI group, respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, the expression of miR-411 and FasL was significantly lower and higher in OGD group than that in control group, respectively (P < 0.05). miR-411 directly controlled the FasL expression. miR-411 mimic can dramatically reduce the increased percentage of apoptosis cells caused by OGD when comparing to mimic control, which was greatly reversed by the overexpression of FasL (P < 0.05). Further, the BBB score was significantly elevated in the miR-411 mimic group when comparing to mimic control group, with decreased FasL expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion: miR-411 mimic suppressed PC12 cell apoptosis via FasL, and relieved ASCI in rats. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Inc.