Nonviral vector plasmid DNA encoding human proenkephalin gene attenuates inflammatory and neuropathic pain-related behaviors in mice.
Inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain are major clinical health issues that represent considerable social and economic burden worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the anti-nociceptive efficacy of delivery of human proenkephalin gene by a plasmid DNA vector (pVAX1-PENK) on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced inflammatory pain and spared nerve injury (SNI) induced neuropathic pain in mice. Mice were intramuscularly or intrathecally administered pVAX1 or pVAX1-PENK, respectively. Pain thresholds in the pVAX1-PENK treated mice were significantly higher at day 3, then reached a peak at day 7 and lasted until day 28 after gene transfer, and the analgesic effect of pVAX1-PENK was blocked with naloxone hydrochloride. In contrast, pVAX1 treated mice did not significantly improve pain thresholds. These results indicate that peripheral or spinal delivery of a plasmid encoding human proenkephalin gene provides a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain.
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China; College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 10024, People's Republic of China.
Chunsheng
C
Hu
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China.
Zhenzhen
Z
Cai
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China.
Yuxin
Y
Lu
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China.
Xiaochen
X
Cheng
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China.
Qi
Q
Guo
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China; College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 10024, People's Republic of China.
Zuze
Z
Wu
Department of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: qinglz@yahoo.com.
Qinglin
Q
Zhang
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010957:Plasmids; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C029992:proenkephalin; D004247:DNA; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant
Gene transfer; Pain behavior; Plasmid; Proenkephalin