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Urbanskas E, Jakštys B, Venckus J, Malakauskaitė P, Šatkauskienė I, Morkvėnaitė-Vilkončienė I, Šatkauskas S. Interplay between Electric Field Strength and Number of Short-Duration Pulses for Efficient Gene Electrotransfer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:825. [PMID: 39065676 PMCID: PMC11279932 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is a method that shows great promise as a non-viral approach for delivering genes by using high-voltage electric pulses to introduce DNA into cells to induce transient gene expression. This research aimed to evaluate the interplay between electric pulse intensity and 100 µs-duration pulse numbers as an outcome of gene electrotransfer efficacy and cell viability. Our results indicated a close relationship between pulse number and electric field strength regarding gene electrotransfer efficacy; higher electric pulse intensity resulted in fewer pulses needed to achieve the same gene electrotransfer efficacy. Subsequently, an increase in pulse number had a more negative impact on overall gene electrotransfer by significantly reducing cell viability. Based on our data, the best pulse parameters to transfect CHO cells with the pMax-GFP plasmid were using 5 HV square wave pulses of 1000 V/cm and 2 HV of 1600 V/cm, correspondingly resulting in 55 and 71% of transfected cells and maintaining 79 and 54% proliferating cells. This shows ESOPE-like 100 µs-duration pulse protocols can be used simultaneously to deliver cytotoxic drugs as well as immune response regulating genetically encoded cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernestas Urbanskas
- Research Institute of Natural and Technological Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 44404 Kaunas, Lithuania; (E.U.); (B.J.); (J.V.); (I.Š.)
| | - Baltramiejus Jakštys
- Research Institute of Natural and Technological Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 44404 Kaunas, Lithuania; (E.U.); (B.J.); (J.V.); (I.Š.)
- Faculty of Electronics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10105 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Justinas Venckus
- Research Institute of Natural and Technological Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 44404 Kaunas, Lithuania; (E.U.); (B.J.); (J.V.); (I.Š.)
| | - Paulina Malakauskaitė
- Faculty of Electronics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10105 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, 08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ingrida Šatkauskienė
- Research Institute of Natural and Technological Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 44404 Kaunas, Lithuania; (E.U.); (B.J.); (J.V.); (I.Š.)
| | - Inga Morkvėnaitė-Vilkončienė
- Department of Nanotechnology, State Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology, 02300 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Saulius Šatkauskas
- Research Institute of Natural and Technological Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 44404 Kaunas, Lithuania; (E.U.); (B.J.); (J.V.); (I.Š.)
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Pavlin M, Škorja Milić N, Kandušer M, Pirkmajer S. Importance of the electrophoresis and pulse energy for siRNA-mediated gene silencing by electroporation in differentiated primary human myotubes. Biomed Eng Online 2024; 23:47. [PMID: 38750477 PMCID: PMC11097476 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-024-01239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrotransfection is based on application of high-voltage pulses that transiently increase membrane permeability, which enables delivery of DNA and RNA in vitro and in vivo. Its advantage in applications such as gene therapy and vaccination is that it does not use viral vectors. Skeletal muscles are among the most commonly used target tissues. While siRNA delivery into undifferentiated myoblasts is very efficient, electrotransfection of siRNA into differentiated myotubes presents a challenge. Our aim was to develop efficient protocol for electroporation-based siRNA delivery in cultured primary human myotubes and to identify crucial mechanisms and parameters that would enable faster optimization of electrotransfection in various cell lines. RESULTS We established optimal electroporation parameters for efficient siRNA delivery in cultured myotubes and achieved efficient knock-down of HIF-1α while preserving cells viability. The results show that electropermeabilization is a crucial step for siRNA electrotransfection in myotubes. Decrease in viability was observed for higher electric energy of the pulses, conversely lower pulse energy enabled higher electrotransfection silencing yield. Experimental data together with the theoretical analysis demonstrate that siRNA electrotransfer is a complex process where electropermeabilization, electrophoresis, siRNA translocation, and viability are all functions of pulsing parameters. However, despite this complexity, we demonstrated that pulse parameters for efficient delivery of small molecule such as PI, can be used as a starting point for optimization of electroporation parameters for siRNA delivery into cells in vitro if viability is preserved. CONCLUSIONS The optimized experimental protocol provides the basis for application of electrotransfer for silencing of various target genes in cultured human myotubes and more broadly for electrotransfection of various primary cell and cell lines. Together with the theoretical analysis our data offer new insights into mechanisms that underlie electroporation-based delivery of short RNA molecules, which can aid to faster optimisation of the pulse parameters in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Pavlin
- Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Nives Škorja Milić
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maša Kandušer
- Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Pharmacy Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Kawai MY, Yoshida T, Kato T, Watanabe T, Kashiwagi M, Yamanaka S, Yamamoto H, Nagahiro S, Iwamoto T, Masud K, Aoki K, Ohura K, Nakao K. bmp-2 Gene-Transferred Skeletal Muscles with Needle-Type Electrodes as Efficient and Reliable Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:880. [PMID: 38399131 PMCID: PMC10890310 DOI: 10.3390/ma17040880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (bmp-2) has a high potential to induce bone tissue formation in skeletal muscles. We developed a bone induction system in skeletal muscles using the bmp-2 gene through in vivo electroporation. Natural bone tissues with skeletal muscles can be considered potential candidates for biomaterials. However, our previous system using plate-type electrodes did not achieve a 100% success rate in inducing bone tissues in skeletal muscles. In this study, we aimed to enhance the efficiency of bone tissue formation in skeletal muscles by using a non-viral bmp-2 gene expression plasmid vector (pCAGGS-bmp-2) and needle-type electrodes. METHODS We injected the bmp-2 gene with pCAGGS-bmp-2 into the skeletal muscles of rats' legs and immediately placed needle-type electrodes there. Skeletal tissues were then observed on the 21st day after gene transfer using soft X-ray and histological analyses. RESULTS The use of needle-type electrodes resulted in a 100% success rate in inducing bone tissues in skeletal muscles. In contrast, the plate-type electrodes only exhibited a 33% success rate. Thus, needle-type electrodes can be more efficient and reliable for transferring the bmp-2 gene to skeletal muscles, making them potential biomaterials for repairing bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Yamamoto Kawai
- Department of Welfare, Kansai Women’s College, Osaka 582-0026, Japan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Takeshi Yoshida
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Tomoki Kato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Takuma Watanabe
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Marina Kashiwagi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Shigeki Yamanaka
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Hiromitsu Yamamoto
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Shigeki Nagahiro
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry/Special Needs Dentistry, Division of Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan; (S.N.); (T.I.)
| | - Tsutomu Iwamoto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry/Special Needs Dentistry, Division of Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan; (S.N.); (T.I.)
| | - Khan Masud
- Department of Basic Oral Health Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan; (K.M.); (K.A.)
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Department of Basic Oral Health Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan; (K.M.); (K.A.)
| | - Kiyoshi Ohura
- Department of Nursing, Taisei Gakuin University, Osaka 587-8555, Japan;
- Graduate School, Division of Dental Research, Osaka Dental University, Osaka 573-1121, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Nakao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (T.Y.); (T.K.); (T.W.); (M.K.); (S.Y.); (H.Y.); (K.N.)
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Nakamura S, Morohoshi K, Inada E, Sato Y, Watanabe S, Saitoh I, Sato M. Recent Advances in In Vivo Somatic Cell Gene Modification in Newborn Pups. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15301. [PMID: 37894981 PMCID: PMC10607593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline manipulation at the zygote stage using the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been extensively employed for creating genetically modified animals and maintaining established lines. However, this approach requires a long and laborious task. Recently, many researchers have attempted to overcome these limitations by generating somatic mutations in the adult stage through tail vein injection or local administration of CRISPR reagents, as a new strategy called "in vivo somatic cell genome editing". This approach does not require manipulation of early embryos or strain maintenance, and it can test the results of genome editing in a short period. The newborn is an ideal stage to perform in vivo somatic cell genome editing because it is immune-privileged, easily accessible, and only a small amount of CRISPR reagents is required to achieve somatic cell genome editing throughout the entire body, owing to its small size. In this review, we summarize in vivo genome engineering strategies that have been successfully demonstrated in newborns. We also report successful in vivo genome editing through the neonatal introduction of genome editing reagents into various sites in newborns (as exemplified by intravenous injection via the facial vein), which will be helpful for creating models for genetic diseases or treating many genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Nakamura
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan;
| | - Kazunori Morohoshi
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan;
| | - Emi Inada
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Yoko Sato
- Graduate School of Public Health, Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-0881, Japan;
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Tsukuba 305-0901, Japan;
| | - Issei Saitoh
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho 501-0296, Japan;
| | - Masahiro Sato
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
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Kos B, Mattison L, Ramirez D, Cindrič H, Sigg DC, Iaizzo PA, Stewart MT, Miklavčič D. Determination of lethal electric field threshold for pulsed field ablation in ex vivo perfused porcine and human hearts. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1160231. [PMID: 37424913 PMCID: PMC10326317 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1160231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pulsed field ablation is an emerging modality for catheter-based cardiac ablation. The main mechanism of action is irreversible electroporation (IRE), a threshold-based phenomenon in which cells die after exposure to intense pulsed electric fields. Lethal electric field threshold for IRE is a tissue property that determines treatment feasibility and enables the development of new devices and therapeutic applications, but it is greatly dependent on the number of pulses and their duration. Methods In the study, lesions were generated by applying IRE in porcine and human left ventricles using a pair of parallel needle electrodes at different voltages (500-1500 V) and two different pulse waveforms: a proprietary biphasic waveform (Medtronic) and monophasic 48 × 100 μs pulses. The lethal electric field threshold, anisotropy ratio, and conductivity increase by electroporation were determined by numerical modeling, comparing the model outputs with segmented lesion images. Results The median threshold was 535 V/cm in porcine ((N = 51 lesions in n = 6 hearts) and 416 V/cm in the human donor hearts ((N = 21 lesions in n = 3 hearts) for the biphasic waveform. The median threshold value was 368 V/cm in porcine hearts ((N = 35 lesions in n = 9 hearts) cm for 48 × 100 μs pulses. Discussion The values obtained are compared with an extensive literature review of published lethal electric field thresholds in other tissues and were found to be lower than most other tissues, except for skeletal muscle. These findings, albeit preliminary, from a limited number of hearts suggest that treatments in humans with parameters optimized in pigs should result in equal or greater lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Kos
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lars Mattison
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - David Ramirez
- Department of Surgery, Visible Heart® Laboratories, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Helena Cindrič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Daniel C. Sigg
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Paul A. Iaizzo
- Department of Surgery, Visible Heart® Laboratories, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Mark T. Stewart
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Zhao Y, Fuji T. Two-dimensional free space electric field imaging using electric field induced second harmonic generation. OPTICS LETTERS 2022; 47:2999-3002. [PMID: 35709035 DOI: 10.1364/ol.460742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We present a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach for the measurement of the localized electric field distribution in air using electric field induced second harmonic generation combined with a microscopic imaging technique. This method only needs two snapshot second harmonic images with orthogonal polarizations to obtain the two-dimensional spatial distribution of the intensity and direction of the electric field. The distribution of a local electric field was clearly measured with a spatial resolution of 8.8 µm by using this method. The measurement of a single second harmonic image takes 5 s by using a 5 kHz repetition rate femtosecond laser.
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Leboulle G, Gehne N, Froese A, Menzel R. In-vivo egfp expression in the honeybee Apis mellifera induced by electroporation and viral expression vector. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263908. [PMID: 35653376 PMCID: PMC9162312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we describe egfp expression induced by two techniques: in vivo electroporation and viral transduction in several cell types of the adult honeybee brain. Non-neuronal and neuronal cell types were identified and the expression persisted at least during three days. Kenyon cells, optic lobe neurons and protocerebral lobe neurons were electroporated. Astrocyte-like glia cells, fibrous lamellar glia cells and cortex glia cells were identified. Viral transduction targeted one specific type of glia cells that could not be identified. EGFP positive cells types were rather variable after electroporation, and viral transduction resulted in more homogenous groups of positive cells. We propose that these techniques remain a good alternative to transgenic animals because they potentially target only somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Leboulle
- Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Nora Gehne
- Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Froese
- Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Randolf Menzel
- Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Hughes DC, Hardee JP, Waddell DS, Goodman CA. CORP: Gene delivery into murine skeletal muscle using in vivo electroporation. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 133:41-59. [PMID: 35511722 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00088.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The strategy of gene delivery into skeletal muscles has provided exciting avenues in identifying new potential therapeutics towards muscular disorders and addressing basic research questions in muscle physiology through overexpression and knockdown studies. In vivo electroporation methodology offers a simple, rapidly effective technique for the delivery of plasmid DNA into post-mitotic skeletal muscle fibers and the ability to easily explore the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity. The purpose of this review is to describe how to robustly electroporate plasmid DNA into different hindlimb muscles of rodent models. Further, key parameters (e.g., voltage, hyaluronidase, plasmid concentration) which contribute to the successful introduction of plasmid DNA into skeletal muscle fibers will be discussed. In addition, details on processing tissue for immunohistochemistry and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) analysis will be outlined. The overall goal of this review is to provide the basic and necessary information needed for successful implementation of in vivo electroporation of plasmid DNA and thus open new avenues of discovery research in skeletal muscle physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Hughes
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Justin P Hardee
- Centre for Muscle Research (CMR), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David S Waddell
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Craig A Goodman
- Centre for Muscle Research (CMR), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Sachdev S, Potočnik T, Rems L, Miklavčič D. Revisiting the role of pulsed electric fields in overcoming the barriers to in vivo gene electrotransfer. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 144:107994. [PMID: 34930678 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapies are revolutionizing medicine by providing a way to cure hitherto incurable diseases. The scientific and technological advances have enabled the first gene therapies to become clinically approved. In addition, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are witnessing record speeds in the development and distribution of gene-based vaccines. For gene therapy to take effect, the therapeutic nucleic acids (RNA or DNA) need to overcome several barriers before they can execute their function of producing a protein or silencing a defective or overexpressing gene. This includes the barriers of the interstitium, the cell membrane, the cytoplasmic barriers and (in case of DNA) the nuclear envelope. Gene electrotransfer (GET), i.e., transfection by means of pulsed electric fields, is a non-viral technique that can overcome these barriers in a safe and effective manner. GET has reached the clinical stage of investigations where it is currently being evaluated for its therapeutic benefits across a wide variety of indications. In this review, we formalize our current understanding of GET from a biophysical perspective and critically discuss the mechanisms by which electric field can aid in overcoming the barriers. We also identify the gaps in knowledge that are hindering optimization of GET in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaurya Sachdev
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tjaša Potočnik
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lea Rems
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Vissing M, Ploen J, Pervan M, Vestergaard K, Schnefeldt M, Frandsen SK, Rafaelsen SR, Lindhardt CL, Jensen LH, Rody A, Gehl J. Study protocol designed to investigate tumour response to calcium electroporation in cancers affecting the skin: a non-randomised phase II clinical trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046779. [PMID: 34135049 PMCID: PMC8211082 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Skin malignancy is a distressing problem for many patients, and clinical management is challenging. This article describes the protocol for the Calcium Electroporation Response Study (CaEP-R) designed to investigate tumour response to calcium electroporation and is a descriptive guide to calcium electroporation treatment of malignant tumours in the skin. Calcium electroporation is a local treatment that induces supraphysiological intracellular calcium levels by intratumoural calcium administration and application of electrical pulses. The pulses create transient membrane pores allowing diffusion of non-permeant calcium ions into target cells. High calcium levels can kill cancer cells, while normal cells can restore homeostasis. Prior trials with smaller cohorts have found calcium electroporation to be safe and efficient. This trial aims to include a larger multiregional cohort of patients with different cancer diagnoses and also to investigate treatment areas using MRI as well as assess impact on quality of life. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This non-randomised phase II multicentre study will investigate response to calcium electroporation in 30 patients with cutaneous or subcutaneous malignancy. Enrolment of 10 patients is planned at three centres: Zealand University Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein. Response after 2 months was chosen as the primary endpoint based on short-term response rates observed in a prior clinical study. Secondary endpoints include response to treatment using MRI and change in quality of life assessed by questionnaires and qualitative interviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The trial is approved by the Danish Medicines Agency and The Danish Regional Committee on Health Research Ethics. All included patients will receive active treatment (calcium electroporation). Patients can continue systemic treatment during the study, and side effects are expected to be limited. Data will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and made available to the public. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT04225767 and EudraCT no: 2019-004314-34.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mille Vissing
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Ploen
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Mascha Pervan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Mazen Schnefeldt
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Stine Krog Frandsen
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
| | | | - Christina Louise Lindhardt
- University College Absalon, Sorø, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Henrik Jensen
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Achim Rody
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Julie Gehl
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde and Næstved, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ruzgys P, Böhringer S, Dokumaci AS, Hari Y, Schürch CM, Brühl F, Schürch S, Szidat S, Riether C, Šatkauskas S, Geiser T, Hradetzky D, Gazdhar A. Electrospray Mediated Localized and Targeted Chemotherapy in a Mouse Model of Lung Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:643492. [PMID: 33959011 PMCID: PMC8093875 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.643492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: An advanced stage, centrally localized invasive tumor is a major cause of sudden death in lung cancer patients. Currently, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, laser ablation, or surgical resection if possible are the available state-of-the-art treatments but none of these guarantee remedy or long-term relief and are often associated with fatal complications. Allowing localized chemotherapy, by direct and confined drug delivery only at the tumor site, could be a promising option for preoperative down staging or palliative therapy. Here we report the localized and targeted application of intra tumor delivery of chemotherapeutics using a novel device based on the principle of electrospray. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were injected with Lewis lung carcinoma cells subcutaneously. After 15 days, the animals were anesthetized and the tumors were exposed by skin incision. Tumors were electrosprayed with 100 µg cisplatin on days 0 and 2, and tumor volumes were measured daily. Animals were sacrificed on day 7 after the first electrospray and tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: In this proof-of-concept study, we report that the tumor volume was reduced by 81.2% (22.46 ± 12.14 mm3) after two electrospray mediated Cisplatin deliveries, while the control tumor growth, at the same time point, increased by 200% (514.30 ± 104.50 mm3). Moreover, tunnel and Caspase-3 positive cells were increased after Cisplatin electrospray compared to other experimental groups of animals. Conclusion: Targeted drug delivery by electrospray is efficient in the subcutaneous mouse model of lung cancer and offers a promising opportunity for further development toward its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Ruzgys
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Stephan Böhringer
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Ayse Sila Dokumaci
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Methodology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Hari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Frido Brühl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schürch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sönke Szidat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Riether
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Saulius Šatkauskas
- Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Thomas Geiser
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - David Hradetzky
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Amiq Gazdhar
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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12
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Longo R, Gorrasi G, Guadagno L. Electromagnetically Stimuli-Responsive Nanoparticles-Based Systems for Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:848. [PMID: 33810343 PMCID: PMC8065448 DOI: 10.3390/nano11040848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) in the biomedical field are known for many decades as carriers for drugs that are used to overcome biological barriers and reduce drug doses to be administrated. Some types of NPs can interact with external stimuli, such as electromagnetic radiations, promoting interesting effects (e.g., hyperthermia) or even modifying the interactions between electromagnetic field and the biological system (e.g., electroporation). For these reasons, at present these nanomaterial applications are intensively studied, especially for drugs that manifest relevant side effects, for which it is necessary to find alternatives in order to reduce the effective dose. In this review, the main electromagnetic-induced effects are deeply analyzed, with a particular focus on the activation of hyperthermia and electroporation phenomena, showing the enhanced biological performance resulting from an engineered/tailored design of the nanoparticle characteristics. Moreover, the possibility of integrating these nanofillers in polymeric matrices (e.g., electrospun membranes) is described and discussed in light of promising applications resulting from new transdermal drug delivery systems with controllable morphology and release kinetics controlled by a suitable stimulation of the interacting systems (nanofiller and interacting cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Longo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
| | | | - Liberata Guadagno
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
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Electrochemotherapy in the treatment of cutaneous malignancy: Outcomes and subgroup analysis from the cumulative results from the pan-European International Network for Sharing Practice in Electrochemotherapy database for 2482 lesions in 987 patients (2008-2019). Eur J Cancer 2020; 138:30-40. [PMID: 32836172 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a treatment for both primary and secondary cutaneous tumours. The international Network for sharing practices on ECT group investigates treatment outcomes after ECT using a common database with defined parameters. METHODS Twenty-eight centres across Europe prospectively uploaded data over an 11-year period. Response rates were investigated in relation to primary diagnosis, tumour size, choice of electrode type, route of bleomycin administration, electrical parameters recorded and previous irradiation in the treated field. RESULTS Nine hundred eighty-seven patients, with 2482 tumour lesions were included in analysis. The overall response (OR) rate was 85% (complete response [CR]: 70%, partial response rate: 15%, stable disease: 11%, and progressive disease: 2%). For different histologies, OR and CR rates for metastases of malignant melanoma were 82% and 64%, basal cell carcinoma were 96% and 85%, breast cancer metastases were 77% and 62%, squamous cell carcinoma were 80% and 63% as well as Kaposi's sarcoma were 98% and 91%, respectively. Variance was demonstrated across histotypes (p < 0.0001) and in accordance with size of lesion treated (dichotomised at diameter of 3 cm (p < 0.0001). Hexagonal electrodes were generally used for larger tumours, but for tumours up to 3 cm, linear array electrodes provided better tumour control than hexagonal electrodes (80%:74%, p < 0.003). For tumours more than 2 cm, intravenous administration was superior to intratumoural (IT) administration (p < 0.05). Current recorded varied across tumour histologies and size but did not influence response rate. In previously irradiated areas, responses were selectively lower for IT administration. CONCLUSIONS These cumulative data endorse efficiency of ECT across a broad range of histotypes. Analysis of 2482 lesions details subgroup analysis on treatment response informing future treatment choices.
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Induction of a local muscular dystrophy using electroporation in vivo: an easy tool for screening therapeutics. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11301. [PMID: 32647247 PMCID: PMC7347864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Intramuscular injection and electroporation of naked plasmid DNA (IMEP) has emerged as a potential alternative to viral vector injection for transgene expression into skeletal muscles. In this study, IMEP was used to express the DUX4 gene into mouse tibialis anterior muscle. DUX4 is normally expressed in germ cells and early embryo, and silenced in adult muscle cells where its pathological reactivation leads to Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. DUX4 encodes a potent transcription factor causing a large deregulation cascade. Its high toxicity but sporadic expression constitutes major issues for testing emerging therapeutics. The IMEP method appeared as a convenient technique to locally express DUX4 in mouse muscles. Histological analyses revealed well delineated muscle lesions 1-week after DUX4 IMEP. We have therefore developed a convenient outcome measure by quantification of the damaged muscle area using color thresholding. This method was used to characterize lesion distribution and to assess plasmid recirculation and dose–response. DUX4 expression and activity were confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels and through a quantification of target gene expression. Finally, this study gives a proof of concept of IMEP model usefulness for the rapid screening of therapeutic strategies, as demonstrated using antisense oligonucleotides against DUX4 mRNA.
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15
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Ágoston D, Baltás E, Ócsai H, Rátkai S, Lázár PG, Korom I, Varga E, Németh IB, Dósa-Rácz Viharosné É, Gehl J, Oláh J, Kemény L, Kis EG. Evaluation of Calcium Electroporation for the Treatment of Cutaneous Metastases: A Double Blinded Randomised Controlled Phase II Trial. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E179. [PMID: 31936897 PMCID: PMC7017133 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium electroporation (Ca-EP) is a new anticancer treatment providing similar features to electrochemotherapy (ECT). The aim of our study is to compare the efficacy of Ca-EP with bleomycin-based ECT. This double-blinded randomized controlled phase II study was conducted at the Medical University of Szeged, Hungary. During this once only treatment up to ten measurable cutaneous metastases per patient were separately block randomized for intratumoral delivery of either calcium or bleomycin, which was followed by reversible electroporation. Tumour response was evaluated clinically and histologically six months after treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03628417, closed). Seven patients with 44 metastases (34 from malignant melanoma, 10 from breast cancer) were included in the study. Eleven metastases were taken for biopsies, and 33 metastases were randomised and treated once. The objective response rates were 33% (6/18) for Ca-EP and 53% (8/15) for bleomycin-based ECT, with 22% (4/18) and 40% (6/15) complete response rates, respectively. The CR was confirmed histologically in both arms. Serious adverse events were not registered. Ulceration and hyperpigmentation, both CTCA criteria grade I side effects, were observed more frequently after bleomycin-based ECT than for Ca-EP. Ca-EP was non-inferior to ECT, therefore, it should be considered as a feasible, effective and safe treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dóra Ágoston
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Eszter Baltás
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Henriette Ócsai
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Sándor Rátkai
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Péter Gy Lázár
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Irma Korom
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Erika Varga
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - István Balázs Németh
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Éva Dósa-Rácz Viharosné
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Julie Gehl
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (C*EDGE), Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit Oláh
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Lajos Kemény
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Erika Gabriella Kis
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.Á.); (E.B.); (H.Ó.); (S.R.); (I.K.); (E.V.); (I.B.N.); (É.D.-R.V.); (L.K.)
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A Laboratory IGBT-Based High-voltage Pulsed Electric Field Generator for Effective Water Diffusivity Enhancement in Chicken Meat. FOOD BIOPROCESS TECH 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11947-019-02360-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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17
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Zhao L, Rasko A, Drescher C, Maleki S, Cejnar M, McEwan A. Preliminary Validation of Electroporation-Electrolysis (E2) for Cardiac Ablation Using a Parameterisable In-Vivo Model. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019; 2019:289-293. [PMID: 31945898 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8857828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure and death, and a growing epidemic. Electroporation ablation is emerging in cardiac ablation for atrial fibrillation as a fast, tissue-specific and non-thermal alternative to existing technologies tied by their thermal action to shortcomings in efficacy, speed and risk. Studies so far have aimed to translate the success of irreversible electroporation from tumour treatment, with its kilovolt pulses, to cardiac ablation. However, these high voltages may be less appealing for cardiac ablation from clinical, technical and regulatory standpoints. A novel ablation technique combining electroporation and electrolysis in a single pulse E2 uses lower voltages. A custom E2 ablation system was developed and tested on an in vivo tissue model. Histopathological analysis showed lesions of clinically relevant depth, achieved without any acute complications or severe muscle contractions. Lesions were mapped onto a numerical model developed to refine further prototyping. This study provides preliminary prototype validation and the methodological foundation for dose optimisation towards endocardial application.
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18
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Sokołowska E, Błachnio-Zabielska AU. A Critical Review of Electroporation as A Plasmid Delivery System in Mouse Skeletal Muscle. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112776. [PMID: 31174257 PMCID: PMC6600476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene delivery to skeletal muscles is a promising strategy for the treatment of both muscular disorders (by silencing or overexpression of specific gene) and systemic secretion of therapeutic proteins. The use of a physical method like electroporation with plate or needle electrodes facilitates long-lasting gene silencing in situ. It has been reported that electroporation enhances the expression of the naked DNA gene in the skeletal muscle up to 100 times and decreases the changeability of the intramuscular expression. Coelectransfer of reporter genes such as green fluorescent protein (GFP), luciferase or beta-galactosidase allows the observation of correctly performed silencing in the muscles. Appropriate selection of plasmid injection volume and concentration, as well as electrotransfer parameters, such as the voltage, the length and the number of electrical pulses do not cause long-term damage to myocytes. In this review, we summarized the electroporation methodology as well as the procedure of electrotransfer to the gastrocnemius, tibialis, soleus and foot muscles and compare their advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Sokołowska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
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19
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Du X, Wang J, Zhou Q, Zhang L, Wang S, Zhang Z, Yao C. Advanced physical techniques for gene delivery based on membrane perforation. Drug Deliv 2018; 25:1516-1525. [PMID: 29968512 PMCID: PMC6058615 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2018.1480674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene delivery as a promising and valid tool has been used for treating many serious diseases that conventional drug therapies cannot cure. Due to the advancement of physical technology and nanotechnology, advanced physical gene delivery methods such as electroporation, magnetoporation, sonoporation and optoporation have been extensively developed and are receiving increasing attention, which have the advantages of briefness and nontoxicity. This review introduces the technique detail of membrane perforation, with a brief discussion for future development, with special emphasis on nanoparticles mediated optoporation that have developed as an new alternative transfection technique in the last two decades. In particular, the advanced physical approaches development and new technology are highlighted, which intends to stimulate rapid advancement of perforation techniques, develop new delivery strategies and accelerate application of these techniques in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Du
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Zhou
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
| | - Luwei Zhang
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
| | - Sijia Wang
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenxi Zhang
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Yao
- a Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation , School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , People's Republic of China
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20
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Schultheis K, Smith TRF, Kiosses WB, Kraynyak KA, Wong A, Oh J, Broderick KE. Delineating the Cellular Mechanisms Associated with Skin Electroporation. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2018; 29:177-188. [PMID: 29953259 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2017.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune responses elicited following delivery of DNA vaccines to the skin has previously been shown to be significantly enhanced by the addition of electroporation (EP) to the treatment protocol. Principally, EP increases the transfection of plasmid DNA (pDNA) into the resident skin cells. In addition to increasing the levels of in vivo transfection, the physical insult induced by EP is associated with activation of innate pathways which are believed to mediate an adjuvant effect, further enhancing DNA vaccine responses. We investigated the possible mechanisms associated with this adjuvant effect, primarily focusing on the cell death pathways associated with the skin EP procedure independent of pDNA delivery. Using the minimally invasive CELLECTRA®-3P intradermal electroporation device that penetrates the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, we have investigated apoptotic and necrotic cell death in relation to the vicinity of the electrode needles and electric field generated. Employing the well-established terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling assay, we detected apoptosis beginning as early as one hour after EP and peaking at the 4 h time point. The majority of the apoptotic events were detected in the epidermal region directly adjacent to the electrode needle. Using a novel propidium iodide in vivo necrotic cell death assay, we detected necrotic events concentrated in the epidermal region adjacent to the electrode. Furthermore, we detected upregulation of calreticulin expression on skin cells after EP, thus labeling these cells for uptake by dendritic cells and macrophages. These results allow us to delineate the cell death mechanisms occurring in the skin following intradermal EP independently of pDNA delivery. We believe these events contribute to the adjuvant effect observed following electroporation at the skin treatment site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - William B Kiosses
- 2 The Scripps Research Institute , Core Microscopy Facility, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Amelia Wong
- 1 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
| | - Janet Oh
- 1 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
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21
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Dermol-Černe J, Miklavčič D, Reberšek M, Mekuč P, Bardet SM, Burke R, Arnaud-Cormos D, Leveque P, O'Connor R. Plasma membrane depolarization and permeabilization due to electric pulses in cell lines of different excitability. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 122:103-114. [PMID: 29621662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In electroporation-based medical treatments, excitable tissues are treated, either intentionally (irreversible electroporation of brain cancer, gene electrotransfer or ablation of the heart muscle, gene electrotransfer of skeletal muscles), or unintentionally (excitable tissues near the target area). We investigated how excitable and non-excitable cells respond to electric pulses, and if electroporation could be an effective treatment of the tumours of the central nervous system. For three non-excitable and one excitable cell line, we determined a strength-duration curve for a single pulse of 10ns-10ms. The threshold for depolarization decreased with longer pulses and was higher for excitable cells. We modelled the response with the Lapicque curve and the Hodgkin-Huxley model. At 1μs a plateau of excitability was reached which could explain why high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) electroporates but does not excite cells. We exposed cells to standard electrochemotherapy parameters (8×100μs pulses, 1Hz, different voltages). Cells behaved similarly which indicates that electroporation most probably occurs at the level of lipid bilayer, independently of the voltage-gated channels. These results could be used for optimization of electric pulses to achieve maximal permeabilization and minimal excitation/pain sensation. In the future, it should be established whether the in vitro depolarization correlates to nerve/muscle stimulation and pain sensation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Dermol-Černe
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Matej Reberšek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Primož Mekuč
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sylvia M Bardet
- University of Limoges, CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, F-87000 Limoges, France.
| | - Ryan Burke
- University of Limoges, CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | | | - Philippe Leveque
- University of Limoges, CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, F-87000 Limoges, France.
| | - Rodney O'Connor
- École des Mines de Saint-Étienne, Department of Bioelectronics, Georges Charpak Campus, Centre Microélectronique de Provence, 880 Route de Mimet, 13120 Gardanne, France.
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22
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Cemazar M, Sersa G, Frey W, Miklavcic D, Teissié J. Recommendations and requirements for reporting on applications of electric pulse delivery for electroporation of biological samples. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 122:69-76. [PMID: 29571034 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Electric field-induced membrane changes are an important approach in the life sciences. However, the developments in knowledge and translational applications face problems of reproducibility. Indeed, a quick survey of the literature reveals a lack of transparent and comprehensive reporting of essential technical information in many papers. Too many of the published scientific papers do not contain sufficient information for proper assessment of the presented results. The general rule/guidance in reporting experimental data should require details on exposure conditions such that other researchers are able to evaluate, judge and reproduce the experiments and data obtained. To enhance dissemination of information and reproducibility of protocols, it is important to agree upon nomenclature and reach a consensus on documentation of experimental methods and procedures. This paper offers recommendations and requirements for reporting on applications of electric pulse delivery for electroporation of biological samples in life science.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje, 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - G Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - W Frey
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology (IHM), 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - D Miklavcic
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - J Teissié
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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Sneller MC, Justement JS, Gittens KR, Petrone ME, Clarridge KE, Proschan MA, Kwan R, Shi V, Blazkova J, Refsland EW, Morris DE, Cohen KW, McElrath MJ, Xu R, Egan MA, Eldridge JH, Benko E, Kovacs C, Moir S, Chun TW, Fauci AS. A randomized controlled safety/efficacy trial of therapeutic vaccination in HIV-infected individuals who initiated antiretroviral therapy early in infection. Sci Transl Med 2017; 9:eaan8848. [PMID: 29212716 PMCID: PMC11059970 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aan8848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite substantial clinical benefits, complete eradication of HIV has not been possible using antiretroviral therapy (ART) alone. Strategies that can either eliminate persistent viral reservoirs or boost host immunity to prevent rebound of virus from these reservoirs after discontinuation of ART are needed; one possibility is therapeutic vaccination. We report the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a therapeutic vaccine regimen in patients in whom ART was initiated during the early stage of HIV infection and whose immune system was anticipated to be relatively intact. The objectives of our study were to determine whether the vaccine was safe and could induce an immune response that would maintain suppression of plasma viremia after discontinuation of ART. Vaccinations were well tolerated with no serious adverse events but produced only modest augmentation of existing HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses, with little augmentation of CD8+ T cell responses. Compared with placebo, the vaccination regimen had no significant effect on the kinetics or magnitude of viral rebound after interruption of ART and no impact on the size of the HIV reservoir in the CD4+ T cell compartment. Notably, 26% of subjects in the placebo arm exhibited sustained suppression of viremia (<400 copies/ml) after treatment interruption, a rate of spontaneous suppression higher than previously reported. Our findings regarding the degree and kinetics of plasma viral rebound after ART interruption have potentially important implications for the design of future trials testing interventions aimed at achieving ART-free control of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Sneller
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - J Shawn Justement
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kathleen R Gittens
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mary E Petrone
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Katherine E Clarridge
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Richard Kwan
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Victoria Shi
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jana Blazkova
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eric W Refsland
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daryl E Morris
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kristen W Cohen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rong Xu
- Profectus BioSciences Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | | | - Erika Benko
- Maple Leaf Medical Clinic, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1K2, Canada
| | - Colin Kovacs
- Maple Leaf Medical Clinic, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1K2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Susan Moir
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tae-Wook Chun
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Anthony S Fauci
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Adipose tissue: a new target for electroporation-enhanced DNA vaccines. Gene Ther 2017; 24:757-767. [PMID: 29106403 PMCID: PMC5746593 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2017.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccines delivered using electroporation (EP) have had clinical success, but these EP methods generally utilize invasive needle electrodes. Here, we demonstrate the delivery and immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine into subcutaneous adipose tissue cells using noninvasive EP. Using finite element analysis, we predicted that plate electrodes, when oriented properly, could effectively concentrate the electric field within adipose tissue. In practice, these electrodes generated widespread gene expression persisting for at least 60 days in vivo within interscapular subcutaneous fat pads of guinea pigs. We then applied this adipose-EP protocol to deliver a DNA vaccine coding for an influenza antigen into guinea pigs. The resulting host immune responses elicited were of a similar magnitude to those achieved by skin delivery with EP. The onset of the humoral immune response was more rapid when the DNA dose was spread over multiple injection sites, and increasing the voltage of the EP device increased the magnitude of the immune response. This study supports further development of EP protocols delivering gene-based therapies to subcutaneous fat.
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Lenzi R, Muscatello L, Saibene AM, Felisati G, Pipolo C. The controversial role of electrochemotherapy in head and neck cancer: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 274:2389-2394. [PMID: 28236011 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-017-4490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Electroporation, also known as electrochemotherapy, combines an antineoplastic agent with electroporation, causing localized progressive necrosis in the treated area. Today it is primarily used in the palliative treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases and has been found to be safe and efficacious in head and neck cancer recurrences. Despite the steady increase in the number of published studies this treatment is not universally available and used systematically in head and neck carcinomas. To shed light on its limitations and analyze treatment outcome we have, therefore, reviewed all available literature regarding this topic. This systematic review includes 16 studies on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and reports the data of 200 treated patients. The combined results show a very heterogeneous overall response rate, ranging from 0 to 100%, while the complete response rate ranges between 0 and 83.3%. No major side effects have been described in those who used electrochemotherapy as a mono modality palliative treatment. This systematic review shows how standardization of treatment is still pivotal to achieve a more homogeneous response rate in the approach to head and neck tumors. In conclusion, due to the scarcity of alternatives of treatment in advanced stage cancer in this anatomical region and the good tolerability and mostly high success rates of electrochemotherapy, this palliative approach should be taken into consideration in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Lenzi
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Apuane Hospital, Massa, Italy
| | - Luca Muscatello
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Apuane Hospital, Massa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Felisati
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pipolo
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.
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27
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Bourke MG, Salwa SP, Sadadcharam M, Whelan MC, Forde PF, Larkin JO, Collins CG, O’Reilly S, O’Sullivan GC, Clover AJ, Soden DM. Effective treatment of intractable cutaneous metastases of breast cancer with electrochemotherapy: Ten-year audit of single centre experience. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2016; 161:289-297. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-016-4046-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Electrotransfer parameters as a tool for controlled and targeted gene expression in skin. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e356. [PMID: 27574782 PMCID: PMC5023408 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Skin is an attractive target for gene electrotransfer. It consists of different cell types that can be transfected, leading to various responses to gene electrotransfer. We demonstrate that these responses could be controlled by selecting the appropriate electrotransfer parameters. Specifically, the application of low or high electric pulses, applied by multi-electrode array, provided the possibility to control the depth of the transfection in the skin, the duration and the level of gene expression, as well as the local or systemic distribution of the transgene. The influence of electric pulse type was first studied using a plasmid encoding a reporter gene (DsRed). Then, plasmids encoding therapeutic genes (IL-12, shRNA against endoglin, shRNA against melanoma cell adhesion molecule) were used, and their effects on wound healing and cutaneous B16F10 melanoma tumors were investigated. The high-voltage pulses resulted in gene expression that was restricted to superficial skin layers and induced a local response. In contrast, the low-voltage electric pulses promoted transfection into the deeper skin layers, resulting in prolonged gene expression and higher transgene production, possibly with systemic distribution. Therefore, in the translation into the clinics, it will be of the utmost importance to adjust the electrotransfer parameters for different therapeutic approaches and specific mode of action of the therapeutic gene.
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29
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Kos B, Vásquez JL, Miklavčič D, Hermann GGG, Gehl J. Investigation of the mechanisms of action behind Electromotive Drug Administration (EMDA). PeerJ 2016; 4:e2309. [PMID: 27635313 PMCID: PMC5012313 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bladder cancer is a cause of considerable morbidity worldwide. Electromotive Drug Administration is a method that combines intravesical chemotherapy with local electric field application. Electroporation has been suggested among other mechanisms as having a possible role in the therapy, so the goal of the present study was to investigate the electric fields present in the bladder wall during the treatment to determine which mechanisms might be involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS Electromotive Drug Administration involves applying intravesical mitomycin C with direct current of 20 mA delivered through a catheter electrode for 30 min. For numerical electric field computation we built a 3-D nonhomogeneous patient specific model based on CT images and used finite element method simulations to determine the electric fields in the whole body. RESULTS Results indicate that highest electric field in the bladder wall was 37.7 V/m. The mean electric field magnitude in the bladder wall was 3.03 V/m. The mean magnitude of the current density in the bladder wall was 0.61 A/m(2). CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that electroporation is not the mechanism of action in EMDA. A more likely explanation of the mechanism of action is iontophoretic forces increasing the mitomycin C concentration in the bladder wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Kos
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Juan Luis Vásquez
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Gregers G G Hermann
- Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital Frederiksberg , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Julie Gehl
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev , Copenhagen , Denmark
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30
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Langus J, Kranjc M, Kos B, Šuštar T, Miklavčič D. Dynamic finite-element model for efficient modelling of electric currents in electroporated tissue. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26409. [PMID: 27211822 PMCID: PMC4876422 DOI: 10.1038/srep26409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In silico experiments (numerical simulations) are a valuable tool for non-invasive research of the influences of tissue properties, electrode placement and electric pulse delivery scenarios in the process of electroporation. The work described in this article was aimed at introducing time dependent effects into a finite element model developed specifically for electroporation. Reference measurements were made ex vivo on beef liver samples and experimental data were used both as an initial condition for simulation (applied pulse voltage) and as a reference value for numerical model calibration (measured pulse current). The developed numerical model is able to predict the time evolution of an electric pulse current within a 5% error over a broad range of applied pulse voltages, pulse durations and pulse repetition frequencies. Given the good agreement of the current flowing between the electrodes, we are confident that the results of our numerical model can be used both for detailed in silico research of electroporation mechanisms (giving researchers insight into time domain effects) and better treatment planning algorithms, which predict the outcome of treatment based on both spatial and temporal distributions of applied electric pulses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Langus
- C3M d.o.o., Technology park 21, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M Kranjc
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - B Kos
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - T Šuštar
- C3M d.o.o., Technology park 21, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - D Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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31
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Tamošiūnas M, Kadikis R, Saknite I, Baltušnikas J, Kilikevičius A, Lihachev A, Petrovska R, Jakovels D, Šatkauskas S. Noninvasive optical diagnostics of enhanced green fluorescent protein expression in skeletal muscle for comparison of electroporation and sonoporation efficiencies. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:45003. [PMID: 27129126 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.4.045003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We highlight the options available for noninvasive optical diagnostics of reporter gene expression in mouse tibialis cranialis muscle. An in vivo multispectral imaging technique combined with fluorescence spectroscopy point measurements has been used for the transcutaneous detection of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression, providing information on location and duration of EGFP expression and allowing quantification of EGFP expression levels. For EGFP coding plasmid (pEGFP-Nuc Vector, 10 μg/50 ml 10 μg/50 ml ) transfection, we used electroporation or ultrasound enhanced microbubble cavitation [sonoporation (SP)]. The transcutaneous EGFP fluorescence in live mice was monitored over a period of one year using the described parameters: area of EGFP positive fibers, integral intensity, and mean intensity of EGFP fluorescence. The most efficient transfection of EGFP coding plasmid was achieved, when one high voltage and four low voltage electric pulses were applied. This protocol resulted in the highest short-term and long-term EGFP expression. Other electric pulse protocols as well as SP resulted in lower fluorescence intensities of EGFP in the transfected area. We conclude that noninvasive multispectral imaging technique combined with fluorescence spectroscopy point measurements is a suitable method to estimate the dynamics and efficiency of reporter gene transfection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindaugas Tamošiūnas
- Vytautas Magnus University, Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vileikos 8, Kaunas LT-44404, LithuaniabVytautas Magnus University, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vileikos 8, Kaunas LT-44404, Lithuania
| | - Roberts Kadikis
- Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, 14 Dzerbenes Street, Riga LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Inga Saknite
- University of Latvia, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, 19 Rainis Boulevard, Riga LV-1586, Latvia
| | - Juozas Baltušnikas
- Lithuanian Sports University, Institute of Sports Sciences and Innovation, Sporto 6, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Audrius Kilikevičius
- Lithuanian Sports University, Institute of Sports Sciences and Innovation, Sporto 6, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Alexey Lihachev
- University of Latvia, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, 19 Rainis Boulevard, Riga LV-1586, Latvia
| | - Ramona Petrovska
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Dainis Jakovels
- University of Latvia, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, 19 Rainis Boulevard, Riga LV-1586, Latvia
| | - Saulius Šatkauskas
- Vytautas Magnus University, Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vileikos 8, Kaunas LT-44404, Lithuania
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Lowe R, Gavazza A, Impellizeri JA, Soden DM, Lubas G. The treatment of canine mast cell tumours with electrochemotherapy with or without surgical excision. Vet Comp Oncol 2016; 15:775-784. [PMID: 27001443 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To describe the results of electrochemotherapy (ECT) in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) either as first line therapy or as an adjuvant to surgery. The treatment combines administration of low dose chemotherapeutic drugs with the application of microsecond electric pulses, which cause the temporary permeabilization and increased porosity of the tumour cell membranes. The design of this study is a retrospective case series. A total of 51 dogs with MCTs were included and classified according to ECT procedure into 4 groups (ECT only, 15 cases, intra-surgery ECT, 11, ECT Adjuvant to surgery, 14, Surgery followed by ECT, 11). The four groups (staged with location, size and grade) were evaluated to assess complete or partial remission, disease free interval, overall survival time and local toxicity. In this case series, Boxers, mixed breed and Labrador Retrievers, male dogs, between 4 and 9 years old were more represented. MCTs were predominantly grade 2 (Patnaik) and T stage 0-1, I-1 (World Health Organization). Treated lesions were most commonly identified on the hindlimb and head where curative surgery would involve cosmetic or functional compromise. The intra-surgery group of dogs showed the best disease free interval with Kaplan-Meyer analysis. Local toxicity induced by ECT ranged mostly from 1 to 4 in a 5-point arbitrary scale with 0 - no toxicity to 5 - highest toxicity. In this study, ECT can be applied successfully as an exclusive therapy in smaller MCTs as an alternative to surgery. ECT can be combined with surgery either intra-operatively or post operatively for larger lesions without significant toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lowe
- Ashleigh Veterinary Clinic Limited, Knaresborough, UK
| | - A Gavazza
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - D M Soden
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - G Lubas
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Lojk J, Mis K, Pirkmajer S, Pavlin M. siRNA delivery into cultured primary human myoblasts - optimization of electroporation parameters and theoretical analysis. Bioelectromagnetics 2015; 36:551-63. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.21936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jasna Lojk
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Katarina Mis
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Mojca Pavlin
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
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Venslauskas MS, Šatkauskas S. Mechanisms of transfer of bioactive molecules through the cell membrane by electroporation. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2015; 44:277-89. [PMID: 25939984 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-015-1025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A short review of biophysical mechanisms for electrotransfer of bioactive molecules through the cell membrane by using electroporation is presented. The concept of transient hydrophilic aqueous pores and membrane electroporation mechanisms of single cells and cells in suspension models are analyzed. Alongside the theoretical approach, some peculiarities of drug and gene electrotransfer into cells and applications in clinical trials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindaugas S Venslauskas
- Biophysical Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, 44404, Kaunas, Lithuania,
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Pavlin M, Kandušer M. New insights into the mechanisms of gene electrotransfer--experimental and theoretical analysis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9132. [PMID: 25778848 PMCID: PMC5390920 DOI: 10.1038/srep09132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene electrotransfer is a promising non-viral method of gene delivery. In our in vitro study we addressed open questions about this multistep process: how electropermeabilization is related to electrotransfer efficiency; the role of DNA electrophoresis for contact and transfer across the membrane; visualization and theoretical analysis of DNA-membrane interaction and its relation to final transfection efficiency; and the differences between plated and suspended cells. Combinations of high-voltage and low-voltage pulses were used. We obtained that electrophoresis is required for the insertion of DNA into the permeabilized membrane. The inserted DNA is slowly transferred into the cytosol, and nuclear entry is a limiting factor for optimal transfection. The quantification and theoretical analysis of the crucial parameters reveals that DNA-membrane interaction (NDNA) increases with higher DNA concentration or with the addition of electrophoretic LV pulses while transfection efficiency reaches saturation. We explain the differences between the transfection of cell suspensions and plated cells due to the more homogeneous size, shape and movement of suspended cells. Our results suggest that DNA is either translocated through the stable electropores or enters by electo-stimulated endocytosis, possibly dependent on pulse parameters. Understanding of the mechanisms enables the selection of optimal electric protocols for specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Pavlin
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maša Kandušer
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Mahmood F, Hansen RH, Agerholm-Larsen B, Gissel H, Ibsen P, Gehl J. Detection of electroporation-induced membrane permeabilization states in the brain using diffusion-weighted MRI. Acta Oncol 2015; 54:289-97. [PMID: 25591820 PMCID: PMC4438348 DOI: 10.3109/0284186x.2014.991045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue permeabilization by electroporation (EP) is a promising technique to treat certain cancers. Non-invasive methods for verification of induced permeabilization are important, especially in deep-seated cancers. In this study we evaluated diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as a quantitative method for detecting EP-induced membrane permeabilization of brain tissue using a rat brain model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-four anesthetized Sprague-Dawley male rats were electroporated in the right hemisphere, using different voltage levels to induce no permeabilization (NP), transient membrane permeabilization (TMP), and permanent membrane permeabilization (PMP), respectively. DW-MRI was acquired 5 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after EP. Histology was performed for validation of the permeabilization states. Tissue content of water, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and extracellular volume were determined. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the DW-MRI parameters, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and kurtosis, at different voltage levels. The two-sample Mann- Whitney test with Holm's Bonferroni correction was used to identify pairs of significantly different groups. The study was approved by the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Results showed significant difference in the ADC between TMP and PMP at 2 hours (p<0.001) and 24 hours (p<0.05) after EP. Kurtosis was significantly increased both at TMP (p<0.05) and PMP (p<0.001) 5 minutes after EP, compared to NP. Kurtosis was also significantly higher at 24 hours (p<0.05) and 48 hours (p<0.05) at PMP compared to NP. Physiological parameters indicated correlation with the permeabilization states, supporting the DW-MRI findings. We conclude that DW-MRI is capable of detecting EP-induced permeabilization of brain tissue and to some extent of differentiating NP, TMP and PMP using appropriate scan timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Mahmood
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Radiotherapy Research Unit (RRU), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Rasmus H. Hansen
- Department of Radiology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Birgit Agerholm-Larsen
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gissel
- Institute of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Per Ibsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Julie Gehl
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Abstract
Electroporation has been used extensively to transfer DNA to bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells in culture for the past 30 years. Over this time, numerous advances have been made, from using fields to facilitate cell fusion, delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to cells and tissues, and most importantly, gene and drug delivery in living tissues from rodents to man. Electroporation uses electrical fields to transiently destabilize the membrane allowing the entry of normally impermeable macromolecules into the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, at the appropriate field strengths, the application of these fields to tissues results in little, if any, damage or trauma. Indeed, electroporation has even been used successfully in human trials for gene delivery for the treatment of tumors and for vaccine development. Electroporation can lead to between 100 and 1000-fold increases in gene delivery and expression and can also increase both the distribution of cells taking up and expressing the DNA as well as the absolute amount of gene product per cell (likely due to increased delivery of plasmids into each cell). Effective electroporation depends on electric field parameters, electrode design, the tissues and cells being targeted, and the plasmids that are being transferred themselves. Most importantly, there is no single combination of these variables that leads to greatest efficacy in every situation; optimization is required in every new setting. Electroporation-mediated in vivo gene delivery has proven highly effective in vaccine production, transgene expression, enzyme replacement, and control of a variety of cancers. Almost any tissue can be targeted with electroporation, including muscle, skin, heart, liver, lung, and vasculature. This chapter will provide an overview of the theory of electroporation for the delivery of DNA both in individual cells and in tissues and its application for in vivo gene delivery in a number of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Young
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - David A Dean
- Departments of Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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Optimization of a gene electrotransfer procedure for efficient intradermal immunization with an hTERT-based DNA vaccine in mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:14045. [PMID: 26015983 PMCID: PMC4362362 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccination consists in administering an antigen-encoding plasmid in order to trigger a specific immune response. This specific vaccine strategy is of particular interest to fight against various infectious diseases and cancer. Gene electrotransfer is the most efficient and safest non-viral gene transfer procedure and specific electrical parameters have been developed for several target tissues. Here, a gene electrotransfer protocol into the skin has been optimized in mice for efficient intradermal immunization against the well-known telomerase tumor antigen. First, the luciferase reporter gene was used to evaluate gene electrotransfer efficiency into the skin as a function of the electrical parameters and electrodes, either non-invasive or invasive. In a second time, these parameters were tested for their potency to generate specific cellular CD8 immune responses against telomerase epitopes. These CD8 T-cells were fully functional as they secreted IFNγ and were endowed with specific cytotoxic activity towards target cells. This simple and optimized procedure for efficient gene electrotransfer into the skin using the telomerase antigen is to be used in cancer patients for the phase 1 clinical evaluation of a therapeutic cancer DNA vaccine called INVAC-1.
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Marjanovič I, Kandušer M, Miklavčič D, Keber MM, Pavlin M. Comparison of flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorometry for analysis of gene electrotransfer efficiency. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:1259-67. [PMID: 25146882 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9714-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we compared three different methods used for quantification of gene electrotransfer efficiency: fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry. We used CHO and B16 cells in a suspension and plasmid coding for GFP. The aim of this study was to compare and analyse the results obtained by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry and in addition to analyse the applicability of spectrofluorometry for quantifying gene electrotransfer on cells in a suspension. Our results show that all the three methods detected similar critical electric field strength, around 0.55 kV/cm for both cell lines. Moreover, results obtained on CHO cells showed that the total fluorescence intensity and percentage of transfection exhibit similar increase in response to increase electric field strength for all the three methods. For B16 cells, there was a good correlation at low electric field strengths, but at high field strengths, flow cytometer results deviated from results obtained by fluorescence microscope and spectrofluorometer. Our study showed that all the three methods detected similar critical electric field strengths and high correlations of results were obtained except for B16 cells at high electric field strengths. The results also demonstrated that flow cytometry measures higher values of percentage transfection compared to microscopy. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that spectrofluorometry can be used as a simple and consistent method to determine gene electrotransfer efficiency on cells in a suspension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Marjanovič
- Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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siRNA delivery via electropulsation: a review of the basic processes. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1121:81-98. [PMID: 24510814 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Due to their capacity for inducing strong and sequence specific gene silencing in cells, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are now recognized not only as powerful experimental tools for basic research in Molecular biology but with promising potentials in therapeutic development. Delivery is a bottleneck in many studies. There is a common opinion that full potential of siRNA as therapeutic agent will not be attained until better methodologies for its targeted intracellular delivery to cells and tissues are developed. Electropulsation (EP) is one of the physical methods successfully used to transfer siRNA into living cells in vitro and in vivo. This review will describe how siRNA electrotransfer obeys characterized biophysical processes (cell-size-dependent electropermeabilization, electrophoretic drag) with a strong control of a low loss of viability. Protocols can be easily adjusted by a proper setting of the electrical parameters and pulsing buffers. EP can be easily directly applied on animals. Preclinical studies showed that electropermeabilization brings a direct cytoplasmic distribution of siRNA and an efficient silencing of the targeted protein expression. EP appears as a promising tool for clinical applications of gene silencing. A panel of successful trials will be given.
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Electroporation-based gene therapy: recent evolution in the mechanism description and technology developments. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1121:3-23. [PMID: 24510808 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Thirty years after the publication of the first report on gene electrotransfer in cultured cells by the delivery of delivering electric pulses, this technology is starting to be applied to humans. In 2008, at the time of the publication of the first edition of this book, reversible cell electroporation for gene transfer and gene therapy (nucleic acids electrotransfer) was at a cross roads in its development. In 5 years, basic and applied developments have brought gene electrotransfer into a new status. Present knowledge on the effects of cell exposure to appropriate electric field pulses, particularly at the level of the cell membrane, is reported here, as an introduction to the large range of applications described in this book. The importance of the models of electric field distribution in tissues and of the correct choice of electrodes and applied voltages is highlighted, as well as the large range of new specialized electrodes, developed also in the frame of the other electroporation-based treatments (electrochemotherapy). Indeed, electric pulses are now routinely applied for localized drug delivery in the treatment of solid tumors by electrochemotherapy. The mechanisms involved in DNA electrotransfer, which include cell electropermeabilization and DNA electrophoresis, are also surveyed: noticeably, the first molecular description of the crossing of a lipid membrane by a nucleic acid was reported in 2012. The progress in the understanding of cell electroporation as well as developments of technological aspects, in silico, in vitro and in vivo, have contributed to bring gene electrotransfer development to the clinical stage. However, spreading of the technology will require not only more clinical trials but also further homogenization of the protocols and the preparation and validation of Standard Operating Procedures.
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Abstract
Electroporation is increasingly being used for delivery of chemotherapy to tumors. Likewise, gene delivery by electroporation is rapidly gaining momentum for both vaccination purposes and for delivery of genes coding for other therapeutic molecules, such as chronic diseases or cancer. This chapter describes how gene therapy may be performed using electric pulses to enhance uptake and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gehl
- Department of Oncology, Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Abstract
DNA immunization was discovered in early 1990s, and its use has been expanded from vaccine studies to a broader range of biomedical research areas, such as the generation of high-quality polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies as research reagents. In this unit, three common DNA immunization methods are described: needle injection, electroporation, and gene gun. In addition, several common considerations related to DNA immunization are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixia Wang
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Shan Lu
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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Electroporation as a method to induce myofiber regeneration and increase the engraftment of myogenic cells in skeletal muscles of primates. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2013; 72:723-34. [PMID: 23860026 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e31829bac22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Engraftment of intramuscularly transplanted myogenic cells in mice can be optimized after induction of massive myofiber damage that triggers myofiber regeneration and recruitment of grafted cells; this generally involves either myotoxin injection or cryodamage. There are no effective methods to produce a similar process in the muscles of large mammals such as primates. In this study, we tested the use of intramuscular electroporation for this purpose in 11 macaques. The test sites were 1 cm of skeletal muscle. Each site was treated with 3 penetrations of a 2-needle electrode with 1 cm spacing, applying 3 pulses of 400 V/cm, for a duration of 5 milliseconds and a delay of 200 milliseconds during each penetration. Transplantation of β-galactosidase-labeled myoblasts was done in electroporated and nonelectroporated sites. Electroporation induced massive myofiber necrosis that was followed by efficient muscle regeneration. Myoblast engraftment was substantially increased in electroporated compared with nonelectroporated sites. This suggests that electroporation may be a useful tool to study muscle regeneration in primates and other large mammals and as a method for increasing the engraftment of myoblasts and other myogenic cells in intramuscular transplantation.
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Peng J, Zhao Y, Mai J, Guo W, Xu Y. Short noncoding DNA fragment improve efficiencies of in vivo electroporation-mediated gene transfer. J Gene Med 2013; 14:563-9. [PMID: 22930438 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major obstacle to the application of gene therapy methods in experimental and clinical practice is the lack of safe and efficient gene delivery systems. Electroporation has been shown to an effective physical delivery method. A variety of factors have been shown to affect the electroporation-mediated gene delivery efficiency. In the present study, we assessed the usefulness of noncoding short-fragment DNA (sf-DNA) for facilitating electroporation-mediated gene transfer. METHODS The plasmid pGL3-control encoding firefly luciferase was injected into tissues together with or without sf-DNA. Immediately after injection, the tissues were electroporated and the level of luciferase activity was assessed 24 h later. Different types of DNA fragments with different molecular weights, structures and doses were compared. The transfection efficiencies of sf-DNA-mediated electroporation in different tissues or with different electric field strengths were examined. RESULTS Plasmid DNA formulated with 300-bp sf-DNA resulted in a significant improvement in electroporation-mediated gene transfer efficiency. The effect is dose-dependent and is also affected by DNA fragment length and structure. It was useful for intramuscular electroporation application, as well as intratumoral application with various pulse voltage parameters. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained in the present study indicate that sf-DNA can be used as a helper molecule to improve electroporation-mediated gene transfection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinliang Peng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Chabot S, Pelofy S, Teissié J, Golzio M. Delivery of RNAi-Based Oligonucleotides by Electropermeabilization. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2013; 6:510-21. [PMID: 24276121 PMCID: PMC3816695 DOI: 10.3390/ph6040510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For more than a decade, understanding of RNA interference (RNAi) has been a growing field of interest. The potent gene silencing ability that small oligonucleotides have offers new perspectives for cancer therapeutics. One of the present limits is that many biological barriers exist for their efficient delivery into target cells or tissues. Electropermeabilization (EP) is one of the physical methods successfully used to transfer small oligonucleotides into cells or tissues. EP consists in the direct application of calibrated electric pulses to cells or tissues that transiently permeabilize the plasma membranes, allowing efficient in vitro and in vivo cytoplasmic delivery of exogenous molecules. The present review reports on the type of therapeutic RNAi-based oligonucleotides that can be electrotransferred, the mechanism(s) of their electrotransfer and the technical settings for pre-clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Chabot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS) BP 64182, 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse F-31077, France; E-Mails: (S.C.); (S.P.); (J.T.)
- Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, IPBS, Toulouse F-31077, France
| | - Sandrine Pelofy
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS) BP 64182, 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse F-31077, France; E-Mails: (S.C.); (S.P.); (J.T.)
- Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, IPBS, Toulouse F-31077, France
| | - Justin Teissié
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS) BP 64182, 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse F-31077, France; E-Mails: (S.C.); (S.P.); (J.T.)
- Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, IPBS, Toulouse F-31077, France
| | - Muriel Golzio
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS) BP 64182, 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse F-31077, France; E-Mails: (S.C.); (S.P.); (J.T.)
- Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, IPBS, Toulouse F-31077, France
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +33-561-175-811; Fax: +33-561-175-994
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Spanggaard I, Corydon T, Hojman P, Gissel H, Dagnaes-Hansen F, Jensen TG, Gehl J. Spatial Distribution of Transgenic Protein After Gene Electrotransfer to Porcine Muscle. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2012; 23:387-92. [DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Iben Spanggaard
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Thomas Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Pernille Hojman
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
- Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gissel
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas G. Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Julie Gehl
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
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Multiple brain metastases - current management and perspectives for treatment with electrochemotherapy. Radiol Oncol 2012; 46:271-8. [PMID: 23412694 PMCID: PMC3572894 DOI: 10.2478/v10019-012-0042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the advanced oncological treatments of cancer, an overall increase in cancer incidence, and better diagnostic tools, the incidence of brain metastases is on the rise. This review addresses the current treatment options for patients with multiple brain metastases, presenting electrochemotherapy (ECT) as one of the new experimental treatments for this group of patients. Conclusions Neurosurgery, stereotactic surgery, and whole-brain radiotherapy are the evidence-based treatments that can be applied for patients with multiple brain metastases. Treatment with chemotherapy and molecularly targeted agents may also be warranted. Several experimental treatments are emerging, one of which is ECT, an effective cancer treatment comprising electric pulses given by electrodes in the tumor tissue, causing electroporation of the cell membrane, and thereby augmenting uptake and the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic drug bleomycin by 300 times. Preclinical data are promising and the first patient has been treated in an ongoing clinical trial for patients with brain metastases. Perspectives for ECT in the brain include treatment of primary and secondary brain tumors as well as soft tissue metastases elsewhere.
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Numerical and Experimental Studies on DNA Combing Used in Fabricating Nanochannel Electroporation (NEP) Chips. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.586.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Microelectromechanical processes were used to generate a stamp with array of micro pillars. This stamp was subjected to DNA combing and imprinting to form nanostrands between the micro pillars, followed by sputter coating with gold, vapour deposition and imprinting processes in order to produce the required nanochannels for the gene chip. These preparation processes have been widely used to create implementations for cell manipulation and electroporation. However, the underlying mechanism of DNA stretching has only been demonstrated experimentally and is not fully understood. It, therefore, arrives unstable yield rate when process parameters are changed. This study investigated the DNA combing and imprinting processes using two-phase flow and moving mesh methods to analyse the variation of flow field at the micron level. It shows that while withdrawing from water, a smaller velocity difference in each location and the velocity difference of pillars are the major determinants of DNA stretching and curing. The simulation results showed that a bigger α and θ led to a greater difference in flow velocity on the PDMS stamp surface; greater flow velocity difference could affect the adhesion of DNA (subsequently compromising the formation of the nanochannels). As suggested by our experimental data, longer nanochannels (3 μm) displayed a wider range of stretching speed with yield rate >90%.
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Abstract
Intratumoral gene electroporation uses electric charges to facilitate entry of plasmid DNA into cells in a reproducible and highly efficient manner, especially to accessible sites such as cutaneous and subcutaneous melanomas. Effective for locally treated disease, electroporation of plasmid DNA encoding interleukin-12 can also induce responses in untreated distant disease, suggesting that adaptive immune responses are being elicited that can target melanoma-associated antigens. In vivo electroporation with immunomodulatory cytokine DNA is a promising approach that can trigger systemic anti-tumor immune responses without the systemic toxicity associated with intravenous cytokine delivery and potentially offer complete long-term tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Cha
- Department of Medicine; University of California-San Francisco, CA, USA.
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