Femtosecond laser: a new intradermal DNA delivery method for efficient, long-term gene expression and genetic immunization.
A femtosecond laser beam gene transduction (SG-LBGT) system is described as a novel and efficient method of intradermal (i.d.) nonviral gene delivery in mice by permeabilizing cells utilizing femtosecond laser pulses. Using this approach, significant gene expression and efficient dermal transduction lasting for >7 months were obtained. The ability of this new DNA gene transfer method to enhance genetic vaccination was tested in BALB/C mice. A single i.d. injection of a plasmid (10 microg) containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg), followed by pulses of laser, induced high titers of HBsAg-specific antibodies lasting for >210 days and increased levels of IgG1, IgG2a, IFNgamma, and IL-4, indicating the activation of both Th1 and Th2 cells. Moreover, mice vaccinated using the SG-LBGT followed by challenge with pHBV showed increased protection against viral challenge, as detected by decreased levels of HBV DNA, suggesting an efficient Th1 effect against HBV-infected replicating cells. Tumor growth retardation was induced in vaccinated mice challenged with an HBsAg-expressing syngeneic tumor. In most of the parameters tested, administration of plasmid followed by laser application was significantly more effective and prolonged than that of plasmid alone. Tissue damage was not detected and integration of the plasmid into the host genomic DNA probably did not occur. We suggest that the LBGT method is an efficient and safe technology for in vivo gene expression and vaccination and emphasizes its potential therapeutic applications for i.d. nonviral gene delivery.
Zeira
Evelyne
E
The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, 91120 Israel.
Manevitch
Alexandra
A
Manevitch
Zakharia
Z
Kedar
Eli
E
Gropp
Michal
M
Daudi
Nili
N
Barsuk
Rimma
R
Harati
Menahem
M
Yotvat
Hagit
H
Troilo
Philip J
PJ
Griffiths
Thomas G
TG
Pacchione
Stephen J
SJ
Roden
Dana F
DF
Niu
Zhutian
Z
Nussbaum
Ofer
O
Zamir
Gideon
G
Papo
Orit
O
Hemo
Izhack
I
Lewis
Aaron
A
Galun
Eithan
E
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007834:Lasers; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA