Figure 3.

Herpes simplex vector-mediated enkephalin expression alleviates VZV-induced nocifensive behaviors in the rat PHN model. Animals (n = 5) were injected with PBS vehicle, 10⁸ or 10⁴pfu of HSV vector 19 days after VZV or control cell inoculation. Animals received either control vector (vHG) or vector expressing human preproenkephalin (vHPPE). Hypersensitivity was measured to (A) von Frey filament stimulation or (B) thermal sensitivity using a Hargreaves apparatus. (C) Mechanical hypersensitivity following 10⁴pfu (at day 0) of vehicle, vHG or vHPPE. (D) Prophylactic vector administration, with animals receiving VZV at 7 days post vector inoculation. Data is presented as a ratio of ipsilateral to contralateral responses Mean + SEM. All times listed refer to days post HSV sTNFR-expression vector inoculation/transduction.One way ANOVA with Bonferroni post comparing all columns at each timepoint (*** = p < 0.001).