title: Topical gene transfer into rat skin using electroporation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether electroporation can be used for topical gene delivery and for DNA expression in rat keratinocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The localization of a fluorescent-labelled plasmid and the expression of a reporter gene (pEGFP-N1) coding for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in stripped skin were assessed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasmid penetrated into the epidermis within minutes after electroporation and entered the keratinocyte cytoplasm within hours. A localized expression of GFP was observed for at least 7 days in the epidermis. Skin viability was not compromised by electroporation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroporation enhances the delivery, and hence the expression, of topically applied plasmid DNA on the skin. It could be a promising alternative method to administer DNA, particularly for DNA vaccines, in the skin in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Pharmacie Galénique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dujardin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Deŕ Smissen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Préat
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000502:physiology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins