Antisense of c-fos gene attenuates Fos expression in the spinal cord induced by unilateral constriction of the sciatic nerve in the rat

Sciatic nerve constriction induces expression of c-fos protein in dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord. Intrathecal administration of c-fos antisense (30 nmol/20 mu l) into the lumbar region (L1-L5) 18 h prior to nerve ligation attenuated 80% of Fos-immunoreactivity 90 min after ligation compared to rats infused with c-fos sense or saline. Thus, c-fos antisense may be a useful tool in assessing the role of the c-fos gene in an animal model of neuropathic pain. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.