Electro-gene transfer to skin using a noninvasive multielectrode array
- PMID: 21262290
- PMCID: PMC3101286
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.01.014
Electro-gene transfer to skin using a noninvasive multielectrode array
Abstract
Because of its large surface area and easy access for both delivery and monitoring, the skin is an attractive target for gene therapy for cutaneous diseases, vaccinations and several metabolic disorders. The critical factors for DNA delivery to the skin by electroporation (EP) are effective expression levels and minimal or no tissue damage. Here, we evaluated the non-invasive multielectrode array (MEA) for gene electrotransfer. For these studies we utilized a guinea pig model, which has been shown to have a similar thickness and structure to human skin. Our results demonstrate significantly increased gene expression 2 to 3 logs above injection of plasmid DNA alone over 15 days. Furthermore, gene expression could be enhanced by increasing the size of the treatment area. Transgene-expressing cells were observed exclusively in the epidermal layer of the skin. In contrast to caliper or plate electrodes, skin EP with the MEA greatly reduced muscle twitching and resulted in minimal and completely recoverable skin damage. These results suggest that EP with MEA can be an efficient and non-invasive skin delivery method with less adverse side effects than other EP delivery systems and promising clinical applications.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
With respect to duality of interest and financial disclosures, Dr. R. Heller is an inventor on patents which cover the technology that was used in the work reported in this manuscript. In addition, Dr. R. Heller owns stock and stock options in Inovio Pharmaceutical Corporation and has an ownership interest in RMR Technologies.
Figures





References
-
- Heller R, Jaroszeski M, Atkin A, Moradpour D, Gilbert R, Wands J, Nicolau C. In vivo gene electroinjection and expression in rat liver. FEBS Lett. 1996;389(3):225–228. - PubMed
-
- Nishi T, Yoshizato K, Yamashiro S, Takeshima H, Sato K, Hamada K, Kitamura I, Yoshimura T, Saya H, Kuratsu J, Ushio Y. High-efficiency in vivo gene transfer using intraarterial plasmid DNA injection following in vivo electroporation. Cancer Res. 1996;56(5):1050–1055. - PubMed
-
- Sugimura K, Harimoto K, Kishimoto T. [In vivo gene transfer methods into bladder without viral vectors] Hinyokika Kiyo. 1997;43(11):823–827. - PubMed
-
- Rols MP, Delteil C, Golzio M, Dumond P, Cros S, Teissie J. In vivo electrically mediated protein and gene transfer in murine melanoma. Nat Biotechnol. 1998;16(2):168–171. - PubMed
-
- Mir LM. Nucleic acids electrotransfer-based gene therapy (electrogenetherapy): past, current, and future. Mol Biotechnol. 2009;43(2):167–176. - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources