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Mary Ann Leibert, Human Gene Therapy Methods, 6(23), p. 387-392

DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.173

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Spatial Distribution of Transgenic Protein After Gene Electrotransfer to Porcine Muscle

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Gene electrotransfer is an effective non-viral technique for delivery of plasmid DNA into tissues. From a clinical perspective muscle is an attractive target tissue as long-term high-level transgenic expression can be achieved. Spatial distribution of the transgenic protein following gene electrotransfer to muscle in a large animal model has not yet been investigated. In this study 17 different doses of plasmid DNA (1-1500 µg firefly luciferase pCMV-Luc) were delivered in vivo to porcine gluteal muscle using electroporation. Forty-eight hours post treatment several biopsies were obtained from each transfection site in order to examine the spatial distribution of the transgenic product. We found a significantly higher luciferase activity in biopsies from the center of the transfection site compared to biopsies taken adjacent to the center 1 and 2 cm along muscle fibre orientation (p<0.05 and p<0.0001, respectively). On average, 43 % of the total luciferase activity was localized in the center biopsy. In conclusion, we found that gene electrotransfer to muscle in a large animal model led to localized gene expression corresponding to the area delineated by the electrodes. High doses of plasmid DNA did not lead to a larger area of the muscle expressing the transgenic protein.