1: J Control Release. 2007 Dec 4;124(1-2):81-7. Epub 2007 Aug 19.

Optimisation of intradermal DNA electrotransfer for immunisation.

Vandermeulen G, Staes E, Vanderhaeghen ML, Bureau MF, Scherman D, Préat V.

Université catholique de Louvain, Unité de pharmacie galénique, Avenue Emmanuel
Mounier, 73 UCL, 7320, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.

The development of DNA vaccines requires appropriate delivery technologies.
Electrotransfer is one of the most efficient methods of non-viral gene transfer. 
In the present study, intradermal DNA electrotransfer was first optimised. Strong
effects of the injection method and the dose of DNA on luciferase expression were
demonstrated. Pre-treatments were evaluated to enhance DNA diffusion in the skin 
but neither hyaluronidase injection nor iontophoresis improved efficiency of
intradermal DNA electrotransfer. Then, DNA immunisation with a weakly immunogenic
model antigen, luciferase, was investigated. After intradermal injection of the
plasmid encoding luciferase, electrotransfer (HV 700 V/cm 100 micros, LV 200 V/cm
400 ms) was required to induce immune response. The response was Th1-shifted
compared to immunisation with the luciferase recombinant protein. Finally, DNA
electrotransfer in the skin, the muscle or the ear pinna was compared. Muscle DNA
electrotransfer resulted in the highest luciferase expression and the best IgG
response. Nevertheless electrotransfer into the skin, the muscle and the ear
pinna all resulted in IFN-gamma secretion by luciferase-stimulated splenocytes
suggesting that an efficient Th1 response was induced in all case.

PMID: 17854939 [PubMed - in process]

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