Remote Nerve Injection of Mu Opioid Receptor Adeno-associated Viral Vector Increases Antinociception of Intrathecal Morphine

Injection of adeno-associated viral vector containing the μOR gene into the sciatic nerve produces a significant up-regulation of μORs in DRGs for up to 6 months without producing any immune responses in the injected animals. This results in a 5.4-fold increase in the potency of intrathecal morphine.