Inventors:
Steven P. Wilson - New Castle PA, US
Sarah M. Sweitzer - Columbia SC, US
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA - Columbia SC
International Classification:
A61K 35/30, C12N 15/63, C12N 5/10, A61P 25/00
Abstract:
Expression of anti-nociceptive compounds under the control of endogenously regulated promoters is disclosed. Methods and materials can be used to modify nociception, the process activated by detection of noxious stimuli. The activity of endogenous promoters employed is up-regulated following nociception in animal models of pain. Thus, expression of anti-nociceptive compounds, e.g., proteins, antisense RNAs or micro RNAs, under the control of these promoters can occur in an auto-regulatory, demand-driven manner. Delivery to neurons activated during pain transmission of disclosed expression cassettes containing up-regulated promoters to drive expression of anti-nociceptive compounds can be useful for pain management.