• John Y K Lee, David J Fink, and Marina Mata.
• Penn Neurological Institute, PA Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
• Spine. 2006 Jun 15;31(14):1555-8.

Study DesignA prospective in vivo animal study.ObjectivesTo examine the effect of the proenkephalin and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-expressing herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors in a rodent model of lumbar radiculopathy.Summary Of Background DataWe have previously shown that nonreplicating HSV-based vectors coding for proenkephalin or GAD can be used to transduce dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vivo to produce enkephalin or gamma-aminobutyric acid. HSV-mediated gene transfer of proenkephalin or GAD to DRG reduces pain-related behavior in rodent models of peripheral neuropathic pain.MethodsWe created a model of lumbar radiculopathy by ligation of the dorsal and ventral lumbar roots proximal to the DRG. Three days later, we inoculated nonreplicating HSV-based vectors coding for proenkephalin or GAD subcutaneously in the foot.ResultsSubcutaneous inoculation of either vector 3 days after ligation of the dorsal and ventral L5 lumbar roots resulted in a substantial and significant reduction in pain-related behavior (mechanical allodynia). Vector-mediated reduction in pain-related behavior was higher in magnitude and longer in duration after inoculation of the GAD-expressing vector than that achieved by the inoculation of the proenkephalin-expressing vector.ConclusionsHSV-mediated gene transfer provides a novel method for treating chronic neuropathic pain related to lumbar root injury in rodents.

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