| abstract |
A composition for treating pain includes an antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to a receptor involved in pain. In some embodiments, the receptor is a P2X family receptor such as, for example, P2X4. In some embodiments, the antibody includes a detectable marker. In some of these embodiments, the detectable marker includes a fluorescent tag. The composition may be used to treat acute or chronic pain in a subject. Generally, the methods includes administering to the subject a composition that includes an antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to a receptor involved in pain. The non-opioid pain relief composition can reverse pain related mechanical, cold, anxiety-like, and depression-like behaviors in neuropathic pain and chemotoxic nerve injury models. |