title: Application of increased temperature from an exogenous source to enhance gene electrotransfer.
abstract: The presence of increased temperature for gene electrotransfer has largely been considered negative. Many reports have published on the lack of heat from electrotransfer conditions to demonstrate that their effects are from the electrical pulses and not from a rise in temperature. Our hypothesis was to use low levels of maintained heat from an exogenous source to aid in gene electrotransfer. The goal was to increase gene expression and/or reduce electric field. In our study we evaluated high and low electric field conditions from 90 V to 45 V which had been preheated to 40 °C, 43 °C, or 45 °C. Control groups of non-heated as well as DNA only were included for comparison in all experiments. Luciferase gene expression, viability, and percent cell distribution were measured. Our results indicated a 2-4 fold increase in gene expression that is temperature and field dependent. In addition levels of gene expression can be increased without significant decreases in cell death and in the case of high electric fields no additional cell death. Finally, in all conditions percent cell distribution was increased from the application of heat. From these results, we conclude that various methods may be employed depending on the end user's desired goals. Electric field can be reduced 20-30% while maintaining or slightly increasing gene expression and increasing viability or overall gene expression and percent cell distribution can be increased with low viability.
authors.affiliation: Old Dominion University, Center for Bioelectrics, 4211 Monarch Way Suite 300, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donate
authors.affiliation: Old Dominion University, Center for Bioelectrics, 4211 Monarch Way Suite 300, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA.
authors.forename: Niculina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Burcus
authors.affiliation: Old Dominion University, Center for Bioelectrics, 4211 Monarch Way Suite 300, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schoenbach
authors.affiliation: Old Dominion University, Center for Bioelectrics, 4211 Monarch Way Suite 300, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; Old Dominion University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences, 5115 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508, USA. Electronic address: rheller@odu.edu.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015603:Keratinocytes; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008156:Luciferases
keywords: Electroporation; Gene electrotransfer; Heat