title: Femtosecond laser: a new intradermal DNA delivery method for efficient, long-term gene expression and genetic immunization.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, 91120 Israel.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zeira
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manevitch
authors.forename: Zakharia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Manevitch
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kedar
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gropp
authors.forename: Nili
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daudi
authors.forename: Rimma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barsuk
authors.forename: Menahem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harati
authors.forename: Hagit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yotvat
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Troilo
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pacchione
authors.forename: Dana F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Roden
authors.forename: Zhutian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nussbaum
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zamir
authors.forename: Orit
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Papo
authors.forename: Izhack
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hemo
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Eithan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galun
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA