Attenuation of seizure in P77PMC rats with an HSV-vector expressing IL-1ra in brain

Cloned human IL-1ra (IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1ra) cDNA is inserted into pHSVLac, resulting in recombinant named pHSV-IL-1ra. pHSVLac and pHSV-IL-lra were packaged into HSV-1 particles using HSV-1 ts K as helper virus. The results showed that: (i) vero cell infected by pHSV-IL-1ra particles showed IL-1ra expression; expression of beta-galactosidase is observed in meninges and some neurons closed to ventricular and maintained for 8 weeks in rats after intracerebroventricular injection of pHSV-IL-1ra particles; (ii) transgenic expression of IL-lra by pHSVIL-lra injection significantly inhibited seizure attacks of P77PMC rat. These studies indicate that HSV-1 vector expressing IL-1ra in brain attenuated seizure attacks of P77PMC rat.