Upregulation of opioid receptors for management
View Patent ↗Disclosed are methods for treating pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of opioid receptors in the subject's dorsal root ganglion or trigeminal neurons. Also disclosed are methods of treating neuropathic and/or chronic pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of μ-opioid or δ-opioid receptors in the subject's dorsal root ganglion or trigeminal neurons.
1. A method of treating pain in a subject, said method comprising:
administering a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a δ-opioid receptor operatively coupled to a promoter to a dorsal root ganglion or sciatic nerve in a subject having neuropathic or chronic pain, wherein the opioid receptor is expressed in the dorsal root ganglia; and
administering an opioid to the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opioid is morphine.