Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
05:38
Author Spotlight: Utilizing Infraorbital Nerve Ligation in Mice for Investigating Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain and Treatment Strategies
Published on: March 8, 2024
2.8K
Gene therapy for trigeminal pain in mice
A Z Tzabazis1, M Klukinov1, D P Feliciano1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Gene Therapy
|February 28, 2014
Summary
A single injection of a viral vector encoding human preproenkephalin (SHPE) into the trigeminal ganglia provided an analgesic effect for up to 8 weeks in mice pain models.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gene Therapy
- Pain Management
Background:
- Trigeminal neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition.
- Current treatments for trigeminal pain have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of viral vector-mediated gene therapy for trigeminal pain.
- To assess the duration and mechanism of analgesic effects.
Main Methods:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors encoding human preproenkephalin (SHPE) or lacZ were injected into mouse trigeminal ganglia.
- Orofacial formalin test and thermal withdrawal latency tests were used to measure nociceptive behavior.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed transgene expression.
Main Results:
- SHPE injection produced analgesia lasting up to 8 weeks.
- The analgesic effect was reversed by naloxone, a μ-opioid receptor antagonist.
- Widespread transgene expression and normalization of thermal withdrawal latencies were observed.
Conclusions:
- Direct viral vector injection is a promising strategy for trigeminal pain.
- This gene therapy approach offers a potential new tool for pain management.
