Targeted expression of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase and Fludara® for prostate cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk)/ganciclovir (GCV) comprised the most commonly used suicide gene therapy for prostate cancer, with modest results being obtained. However, novel suicide genes, such as Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), have been utilized to demonstrate more potent tumor killing and an enhanced bystander effect on local, non-expressing cells compared to HSV-tk.

METHODS

PNP/fludarabine (Fludara®; fludarabine phosphate; Berlex Labs, Richmond, CA, USA) was deliveried by prostate-specific, rat probasin-based promoter, ARR2PB. After infection of various cell lines with ADV.ARR(2) PB-PNP and administration of androgen analog, R1881, expression of PNP mRNA was detected; in vivo, the antitumor effect of the ARR(2) PB-PNP/Fludara system was monitored and analyzed, as well as animal survival.

RESULTS

After in vitro infection with ADV.ARR(2) PB-PNP (multiplicity of infection  =  10), LNCaP cells were more sensitive to a lower concentration Fludara (LD(50) , approximately 0.1 µg/ml) in the presence of R1881. Furthermore, robust bystander effects after R1881/Fludara treatment were observed in LNCaP cells after infection with bicistronic vector ADV.ARR2PB/PNP-IRES-EGFP in contrast to a much weaker effect in cells treated with ADV.CMV-HSV-tk/GCV. In vivo, tumor size in the ADV.ARR2PB-PNP/Fludara treatment group was dramatically smaller than in the control groups, and the mice treated with our system had a significantly prolonged survival, with three of eight mice surviving up to the 160-day termination point, as well as no systemic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The ARR(2) PB-PNP/Fludara system induced massive tumor cell death and a prolonged life span without systemic cytotoxicity; therefore, it might be a more attractive strategy for suicide gene therapy of prostate cancer.

Blockade effects of (Nphe1)Nociceptin(1-13)-NH(2) on anti-nociception induced by intrathecal administration of nociceptin in rats

The present study investigated the roles of the opioid-receptor-like (ORL1) receptor and its endogenous ligand nociceptin on nociception in the spinal cord of rats. Intrathecal administration of 10 nmol of nociceptin produced significant increases in hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) to thermal and mechanical stimulation. There were no significant changes of average maximum angles in inclined plane tests after intrathecal injection of 10 nmol of nociceptin in rats. The intrathecal nociceptin-induced increases in HWL were antagonized by intrathecal administration of (Nphe1)Nociceptin(1-13)-NH(2), a selective antagonist of ORL1 receptor, in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrated that ORL1 receptor is involved in the nociceptin-induced anti-nociceptive effect in the spinal cord of rats.

Bi-directional modulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced plasma extravasation in the rat knee joint by nociceptin

The role of nociceptin, the endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor, in nociceptive processing is controversial. Most studies demonstrate hyperalgesia following supraspinal administration, analgesia following intrathecal and peripheral administration at higher doses, and hyperalgesia following intrathecal and peripheral application at lower doses. The present study investigates the effect of nociceptin on synovial plasma extravasation and its ability to modulate 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation using the rat knee joint model of inflammation. Nociceptin alone does not alter synovial plasma extravasation from baseline. Nociceptin at concentrations up to 1 nM enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation (up to 50%) and nociceptin at concentrations above 100 nM inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation (down to 45%). The novel, selective ORL1 receptor antagonist J-113397 potently inhibits the pro-inflammatory effect of nociceptin, but only partly inhibits, at higher concentrations, the anti-inflammatory effects of nociceptin.These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent bi-directional effect of nociceptin on inflammatory processes and may indicate a target for novel therapeutics.

Alternative exon splicing of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein in peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia of the rat

Alternative splicing patterns of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in dorsal root ganglia, lumbar sympathetic ganglia and several peripheral tissues of the rat have been investigated by an exon-flanking polymerase chain reaction strategy. A series of RT-PCR with primer pairs flanking all possible alternative splicing sites (corresponding to a genomic region with at least one full exon and two flanking introns) has revealed multiple tissue specific splice variants. These include some novel transcripts that lack the phosphorylation site and part of the leucine zipper region which is crucial for dimerization and DNA binding. Some isoforms previously reported as testis-specific were also detected in rat peripheral ganglia and other tissues. Notably, splicing patterns are specific for some regions. Some of the splice variants indicate inhibitory functions due to lacking phosphorylation sites or partially missing DNA-binding or leucine zipper domains. These findings suggest a complex expression and functional regulation of CREB in peripheral tissues including dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia.

The promoter region of human prepro-nociceptin gene and its regulation by cyclic AMP and steroid hormones

The promoter and upstream regulatory region of the human prepro-nociceptin gene has been cloned from adaptor-ligated genomic DNA libraries by polymerase chain reaction. This 1.7 kb region contains several potential binding sites for transcription factors, among which are binding sites for TF-IID, cyclic AMP response element binding protein, glucocorticoid receptor and estrogen receptor. Multiple start points for the transcription of prepro-nociceptin are identified by an 'oligoribonucleotide-capping' method, but the major one is located at -558(G). Promoter activity assays using luciferase reporter gene constructions with the 1.7 kb fragment and a series of deletion mutations demonstrate that the core promoter is located in the region from -639 to -521 (a region surrounding the major transcription start point -558). A TATA-box motif displays weak promoter activity. An increase of cellular cyclic AMP levels by forskolin treatment up-regulates prepro-nociceptin transcription. Estrogen also up-regulates gene transcription whereas glucocorticoid down-regulates transcription, each through their corresponding receptor response elements. These regulatory effects can be blocked either by mutations of the potential cyclic AMP- or estrogen receptor response elements or by the application of antagonists for glucocorticoid and estrogen receptors. These findings provide a molecular basis for the regulatory mechanisms of human prepro-nociceptin gene expression.

Presence of opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor mRNA splice variants in peripheral sensory and sympathetic neuronal ganglia

The expression of ORL1 receptor mRNA splice variants is determined in peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia and compared to mRNA expression for the three classic opioid receptor subtypes (mu, delta, and kappa) using the method of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. ORL1, mu, delta and kappa receptor subtype mRNAs are present in human dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia and rat DRG. ORL1, mu and delta receptor subtype mRNAs are present in rat superior cervical ganglia and only ORL1 and delta receptor mRNAs are present in rat lumbar sympathetic ganglia. Both the ORL1 mRNA splice variants are present in sensory and sympathetic ganglia, however, expression of the shorter ORL1 receptor mRNA dominates over expression of the longer splice variant in rat brain and DRG, whereas, expression of the longer splice variant is dominant in sympathetic ganglia.

Multiple splice patterns of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein mRNA in the central nervous system of the rat

The alternative splicing pattern of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the central nervous system (CNS) of the rat has been investigated by an exon-flanking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy. A series of RT-PCR studies with primer pairs flanking all possible alternative splicing sites (corresponding to a genomic region with at least one full exon and two flanking introns) has revealed multiple splice patterns in nine regions of the rat CNS. These include some novel transcripts that lack the phosphorylation site and a segment of the leucine zipper region which is crucial for dimerization and DNA binding. Some isoforms previously reported as testis-specific were also detected in the rat CNS. The findings from this study, which include differential splicing patterns among CNS regions, suggest a complex expression and functional regulation of CREB in the CNS.

Detection of mRNAs and alternatively spliced transcripts of dopamine receptors in rat peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia

The presence of mRNAs for dopamine receptor subtypes and dopamine transporter in rat peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. Dopamine D1, D2, D3, D5 receptor subtype mRNAs and dopamine transporter mRNA were detected in both superior cervical sympathetic ganglia (SCG) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the rat; the expression of D4 mRNA was only detected in DRG. While two alternatively spliced isoforms of D2 were detected in both ganglia, the alternative splicing transcripts for D3 and D4 were only found in the DRG. These results are useful in further studying the roles of dopamine and the effects of dopaminergic agents in the peripheral nervous system.

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype messenger RNAs in human dorsal root ganglia: a polymerase chain reaction study

Although serotonin has been shown to play an important role in peripheral pain mechanisms, the specific subtypes of serotonin receptors involved in pain and hyperalgesia remain poorly understood. To date, no previous study has attempted to determine the presence of any serotonin receptor subtype in human dorsal root ganglia. In this study, the presence of messenger RNA for eight human serotonin receptor subtypes in lumbar dorsal root ganglia was detected using the method of polymerase chain reaction. Dorsal root ganglia were excised post mortem from four patients. Oligonucleotide primers were chosen based on unique regions of complimentary DNA sequence for eight cloned human serotonin receptor subtypes (i.e. 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D alpha, 5-HT1D beta, 5-HT1E, 5-HT1F, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT7). The presence of 5-HT1D alpha, 5-HT1D beta, 5-HT1E, 5-HT1F, 5-HT2A and 5-HT7 receptor subtype messenger RNA was detected in dorsal root ganglia from three of the four subjects. 5-HT1A receptor subtype messenger RNA was detected in one of the four subjects. No 5-HT2C receptor subtype messenger RNA could be detected. Findings from this study may direct further efforts to determine the role of serotonin receptors in the peripheral nervous system.

Dual effect of the serotonin agonist, sumatriptan, on peripheral neurogenic inflammation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sumatriptan is a novel drug for migraine headache pain, which, on the basis of its mechanism of action, may have therapeutic potential in other pain states. Sumatriptan inhibits neurogenic inflammation in dural vessels by activating the 5-HTIB and 5-HTID inhibitory serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) receptor subtypes on terminals of trigeminal neurons. This study was designed to determine the role of sumatriptan in peripheral pain mechanisms by detecting whether 5-HTIB and 5-HTID receptors and the recently cloned excitatory 5-HT7 receptor, for which sumatriptan displays moderate binding affinity, are present in peripheral sensory neurons, and by determining the effect of sumatriptan on peripheral neurogenic inflammation.

METHODS

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect mRNA for 5-HT receptors in rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia. Rat knee joint plasma extravasation was used to determine the effect of sumatriptan on peripheral neurogenic inflammation.

RESULTS

The mRNA for the sumatriptan-activated receptors 5-HTIB, 5-HTID, and 5-HT7, was detected in lumbar dorsal root ganglia. In rat knee joint, capsaicin-activated C-fibers stimulated plasma extravasation to 273 +/- 62% of baseline. Low-concentration sumatriptan (50 nM) significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation to 106 +/- 6% of baseline. High-concentration sumatriptan (1 microM) significantly enhanced capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation to 572 +/- 55% of baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Sumatriptan inhibits peripheral neurogenic inflammation, probably via 5-HT1B/1D receptors, and may be a novel therapy for inflammatory pain states. However, high concentrations (> 200 nM) may enhance neurogenic inflammation, possibly by activation of 5-HT7 receptors, which may explain lack of migraine relief and excessive injection site pain in 20-30% of patients treated with sumatriptan.

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype messenger RNAs in rat peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia: a polymerase chain reaction study

While serotonin has been shown to play an important role in peripheral pain mechanisms, the specific subtypes of receptors involved and their differential distribution between the sensory and sympathetic nervous system remains poorly understood. In this study, the presence of messenger RNA for rat serotonin receptor subtypes in peripheral sensory and sympathetic ganglia was detected using the method of polymerase chain reaction. Lumbar dorsal root ganglia, superior cervical sympathetic ganglia and lumbar sympathetic ganglia were excised from anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Oligonucleotide primers were chosen based on unique regions of complementary DNA sequence for each of the 12 cloned rat serotonin receptor subtypes (i.e. 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT1F, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3, 5-HT5A, 5-HT5B, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7) and high stringency conditions were used during polymerase chain reaction. Within lumbar dorsal root ganglia, the presence of the 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3 and 5-HT7 receptor subtype messenger RNAs was detected. Within superior cervical ganglia, the presence of messenger RNA for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A, 5-HT3, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptor subtypes was detected. Lumbar sympathetic ganglia displayed banding identical to the superior cervical ganglia with the exception of the 5-HT6 receptor which was not detected in the lumbar sympathetic ganglia. The polymerase chain reaction product from each positively-detected receptor subtype was subcloned and sequenced and found to correspond to published complementary DNA sequences. Findings from this study may direct further efforts to determine the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in the peripheral nervous system.

5-Hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation is mediated via 5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptors on sympathetic efferent terminals

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is known to act in peripheral tissues to produce pain and inflammation, yet the mechanisms underlying 5-HT-induced inflammation have not been well studied. The present study uses a rat knee joint model of inflammation (synovial plasma extravasation) and molecular biological techniques to determine the site of action of 5-HT and the specific 5-HT receptor subtype mediating synovial 5-HT-induced plasma extravasation. 5-HT (1 microM) stimulates synovial plasma extravasation 7-fold above base-line levels. Surgical lumbar sympathectomy, but not C-fiber depletion by neonatal capsaicin, dramatically reduces 5-HT-induced synovial plasma extravasation (P < .001), indicating that sympathetic efferents mediate this effect. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of 5-HT receptor cDNA demonstrates that 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A and 5-HT3, but not the 5-HT2C, receptor subtypes are present in lumbar sympathetic ganglia. With selective ligands for these receptor subtypes, we demonstrate that 5-HT-induced synovial plasma extravasation is mediated via the 5-HT2A receptor. These findings suggest a role for 5-HT2A antagonists in various synovial inflammatory pain states.

Cloning and characterization of a pharmacologically distinct A1 adenosine receptor from guinea pig brain

Three full-length cDNA clones encoding the guinea pig A1 adenosine receptor have been isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and low-stringency hybridization screening of a guinea pig brain cDNA library. These three cDNAs, though differing in their 5' untranslated regions, contain the same open reading frame encoding a 326 amino acid residue protein with seven hydrophobic alpha-helices long enough to form the transmembrane domains, suggesting that it belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. This protein is highly homologous to the A1 adenosine receptors previously cloned from other species. Pharmacological characterization of this receptor transiently expressed in mammalian cells demonstrates that, despite its high homology to A1 adenosine receptors of other species, the guinea pig A1 adenosine receptor displays a unique pharmacological profile: high affinity for the A1-selective antagonist CPX, yet very low affinity for some A1-selective agonists such as CCPA, CHA and R-PIA. Northern blotting for different guinea pig tissues and in situ hybridization for guinea pig brain sections reveal an abundant and broad distribution of mRNA of this A1 subtype receptor in the brain.

Cloning and expression of the A2a adenosine receptor from guinea pig brain

A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding the guinea pig brain A2 adenosine receptor has been isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and low-stringency-hybridization screening of a guinea pig brain cDNA library. This cDNA contains a long open reading frame encoding a 409-amino acid-residue protein which is highly homologous to the A2 adenosine receptors previously cloned from other species. Hydrophobicity analysis of the deduced protein sequence reveals seven hydrophobic regions, characteristic of a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Radioligand binding assay and functional (GTPase and cAMP) assays of the receptor, transiently expressed in mammalian cells, demonstrate typical characteristics of the A2 type adenosine receptor. The messenger RNA (mRNA) of this A2 receptor is found in the brain, heart, kidney and spleen. Receptor autoradiography with [3H]CGS21680, a specific A2 agonist, and in situ hybridization with A2 cRNA probe in guinea pig brain indicate that the receptor is expressed exclusively in the caudate nucleus. The pharmacological profile and anatomical distribution of this receptor indicate that it is of the A2a subtype. This work represents the first cloning of an A2a receptor in a rodent species, offers a complete pharmacological characterization of the receptor and provides an anatomical comparison between binding profile and gene expression of the receptor.

Primary structure and functional expression of a guinea pig kappa opioid (dynorphin) receptor

A full-length cDNA encoding the guinea pig kappa opioid (dynorphin) receptor has been isolated. The deduced protein contains 380 aa and seven hydrophobic alpha-helices characteristic of the G protein-coupled receptors. This receptor is 90% identical to the mouse and rat kappa receptors, with the greatest level of divergence in the N-terminal region. When expressed in COS-7 cells, the receptor displays high affinity and stereospecificity toward dynorphin peptides and other kappa-selective opioid ligands such as U50, 488. It does not bind the mu- and delta-selective opioid ligands. The expressed receptor is functionally coupled to G protein(s) to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and Ca2+ channels. The guinea pig kappa receptor mRNA is expressed in many brain areas, including the cerebellum, a pattern that agrees well with autoradiographic maps of classical guinea pig kappa binding sites. Species differences in the pharmacology and mRNA distribution between the cloned guinea pig and rat kappa receptors may be worthy of further examination.

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a rat kappa opioid receptor

A full-length cDNA was isolated from a rat striatal library by using low-stringency screening with two PCR fragments, one spanning transmembrane domains 3-6 of the mouse delta opioid receptor and the other unidentified but homologous to the mouse delta receptor from rat brain. The novel cDNA had a long open reading frame encoding a protein of 380 residues with 59% identity to the mouse delta receptor and topography consistent with a seven-helix guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptor. COS-1 cells transfected with the coding region of this clone showed high-affinity binding to kappa opioid receptor-selective ligands such as dynorphin A and U-50,488 and also nonselective opioid ligands such as bremazocine, ethylketocyclazocine, and naloxone. Not bound at all (or bound with low affinity) were dynorphin A-(2-13), enantiomers of naloxone and levophanol [i.e., (+)-naloxone and dextrorphan], and selective mu and delta opioid receptor ligands. Activation of the expressed receptor by kappa receptor agonists led to inhibition of cAMP. Finally, in situ hybridization revealed a mRNA distribution in rat brain that corresponded well to the distribution of binding sites labeled with kappa-selective ligands. These observations indicate that we have cloned a cDNA encoding a rat kappa receptor of the kappa 1 subtype.

Expression cloning of cDNA encoding a seven-helix receptor from human placenta with affinity for opioid ligands

Here we report the expression cloning of cDNA encoding a putative opioid receptor from a human placenta cDNA library. Placental opioid receptors are of the kappa type. As the dynorphin opioid peptides are kappa-selective, a dynorphin ligand was used in an affinity-enrichment (panning) procedure to select transiently transfected COS-7 cells expressing kappa receptor binding sites. The cloned cDNA encodes a 440-residue protein of the seven-helix guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled receptor family. Ligand binding reveals a stereospecific site with typical opioid properties, which binds peptide and nonpeptide opioids with moderate affinity (Kd approximately 100 nM) and which lacks the expected kappa selectivity. The deduced transmembrane domain is 93% identical to the homologous region of the human neuromedin K (neurokinin B) receptor, but the N-terminal and C-terminal sequences have many dissimilarities. The expressed receptor binds opioid ligands but not tachykinins; and under the same conditions, a cloned rat neuromedin K receptor binds tachykinins but not opioids.

Chimeric opioid peptides: tools for identifying opioid receptor types

We synthesized several chimeric peptides in which the N-terminal nine residues of dynorphin-32, a peptide selective for the kappa opioid receptor, were replaced by opioid peptides selective for other opioid receptor types. Each chimeric peptide retained the high affinity and type selectivity characteristic of its N-terminal sequence. The common C-terminal two-thirds of the chimeric peptides served as an epitope recognized by the same monoclonal antibody. When bound to receptors on a cell surface or membrane preparation, these peptides could still bind specifically to the monoclonal antibody. These chimeric peptides should be useful for isolating mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors and for identifying opioid receptors on transfected cells in expression cloning procedures. The general approach using chimeric peptides should be applicable to other peptide receptors.

Characterization of big dynorphins from rat brain and spinal cord

To examine the processing of products of the dynorphin gene in the central nervous system, immunoreactive (ir) dynorphin (Dyn) A, Dyn B, Dyn A-(1-8), alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin (alpha- and beta-Neo) in rat brain and spinal cord were measured, using specific antisera after gel filtration and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three peaks of Mr about 8, 4, and 2 kDa for ir-Dyn A and ir-Dyn B, and one peak of Mr less than 2 kDa for ir-Dyn A-(1-8), ir-alpha-, and ir-beta-Neo were found both in the brain and in the spinal cord. The 8 kDa peak was recognized by Dyn A and Dyn B antisera and, after hydrolysis by proline-specific endopeptidase, by beta-Neo antiserum. The 8 kDa peak was recognized by a monoclonal antibody against the amino terminal sequence Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe of all opioid peptides and by an antiserum directed toward the carboxyl terminus of Dyn B, indicating that it contains, from the amino terminal tyrosine of neo-endorphin to the carboxyl-terminal threonine of Dyn B, all 3 opioid peptide regions in the prodynorphin. By means of proline-specific endopeptidase hydrolysis, we also found a big dynorphin precursor (Mr approximately equal to 26 kDa) in both brain and spinal cord.

Analgesia induced by intrathecal injection of dynorphin B in the rat

A dose-dependent analgesic effect of intrathecally injected dynorphin B was observed in rats using the tail flick as nociceptive test. Intrathecal injection of 20 nmol of dynorphin B increased the tail flick latency by 90 +/- 23%, an effect that lasted about 90 min. For the same degree of analgesia, dynorphin B was 50% more potent than morphine on a molar basis. The analgesic effect of this dose of dynorphin B was partially blocked by 10 mg/kg, but not by 1 mg/kg, of subcutaneous naloxone, showing a relative resistance to naloxone reversal as compared with morphine analgesia. The analgesia produced by dynorphin B was unchanged in morphine-tolerant rats but was significantly decreased in rats tolerant to ethylketazocine. These results suggest that dynorphin B produces its potent analgesic effect by activation of kappa rather than mu opioid receptors in the rat spinal cord.

Acupuncture mechanisms in rabbits studied with microinjection of antibodies against beta-endorphin, enkephalin and substance P

Injection of protein-A purified antibodies against Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin into the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) was shown to decrease the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in rabbits. Met-enkephalin antibodies were more potent than the beta-endorphin antibodies in causing a statistically-significant effect on electroacupuncture analgesia. Antibodies to Met-enkephalin were also active at the spinal level, whereas antibodies against beta-endorphin were without effect: this is in agreement with a rich enkephalinergic innervation and absence of beta-endorphin-containing fibres in the spinal cord. Substance P, the other neuropeptide of this study, also seems to be important in mediating effects of electroacupuncture. Injection of antibodies into the periaqueductal gray caused decrease of the effect of electroacupuncture whereas intrathecal administration of Fab-fragment substance P antibodies caused a marked potentiation. The demonstration of site specificity of the neuropeptides in mediating analgesia induced by electroacupuncture supports the validity of this experimental approach.

Electroacupuncture analgesia blocked by microinjection of anti-beta-endorphin antiserum into periaqueductal gray of the rabbit

The possible role of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in mediating the analgesic effect elicited by electroacupuncture (EA) was assessed by injecting antiserum against beta-EP into the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of the rabbit. Two antisera (HO and UA) were raised in rabbits against human beta-EP, each of which recognized human, porcine, bovine, ovine, camel and rat beta-EP, the only difference being that HO recognized rabbit beta-EP while UA did not. The effect of EA analgesia was found to be seriously attenuated by injecting HO into PAG of the rabbit, while UA was ineffective. The results indicated a PAG pool of beta-EP as an important component in mediating EA analgesia.