Repeated intrathecal injections of plasmid DNA encoding interleukin-10 produce prolonged reversal of neuropathic pain

Pain. 2006 Dec 15;126(1-3):294-308. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.07.009. Epub 2006 Sep 1.

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a major clinical problem unresolved by available therapeutics. Spinal cord glia play a pivotal role in neuropathic pain, via the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Anti-inflammatory cytokines, like interleukin-10 (IL-10), suppress proinflammatory cytokines. Thus, IL-10 may provide a means for controlling glial amplification of pain. We recently documented that intrathecal IL-10 protein resolves neuropathic pain, albeit briefly (approximately 2-3 h), given its short half-life. Intrathecal gene therapy using viruses encoding IL-10 can also resolve neuropathic pain, but for only approximately 2 weeks. Here, we report a novel approach that dramatically increases the efficacy of intrathecal IL-10 gene therapy. Repeated intrathecal delivery of plasmid DNA vectors encoding IL-10 (pDNA-IL-10) abolished neuropathic pain for greater than 40 days. Naked pDNA-IL-10 reversed chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced allodynia both shortly after nerve injury as well as 2 months later. This supports that spinal proinflammatory cytokines are important in both the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Importantly, pDNA-IL-10 gene therapy reversed mechanical allodynia induced by CCI, returning rats to normal pain responsiveness, without additional analgesia. Together, these data suggest that intrathecal IL-10 gene therapy may provide a novel approach for prolonged clinical pain control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / administration & dosage*
  • DNA / cerebrospinal fluid
  • DNA / pharmacokinetics
  • DNA / therapeutic use
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hyperesthesia / etiology
  • Hyperesthesia / physiopathology
  • Hyperesthesia / therapy
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Ligation
  • Male
  • Microinjections
  • Neuralgia / physiopathology*
  • Neuralgia / therapy*
  • Plasmids / administration & dosage*
  • Plasmids / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Plasmids / pharmacokinetics
  • Plasmids / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sciatic Nerve
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Interleukin-10
  • DNA