Plasma-activated air mediates plasmid DNA delivery in vivo.
Plasma-activated air (PAA) provides a noncontact DNA transfer platform. In the current study, PAA was used for the delivery of plasmid DNA in a 3D human skin model, as well as in vivo. Delivery of plasmid DNA encoding luciferase to recellularized dermal constructs was enhanced, resulting in a fourfold increase in luciferase expression over 120 hours compared to injection only (P < 0.05). Delivery of plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was confirmed in the epidermal layers of the construct. In vivo experiments were performed in BALB/c mice, with skin as the delivery target. PAA exposure significantly enhanced luciferase expression levels 460-fold in exposed sites compared to levels obtained from the injection of plasmid DNA alone (P < 0.001). Expression levels were enhanced when the plasma reactor was positioned more distant from the injection site. Delivery of plasmid DNA encoding GFP to mouse skin was confirmed by immunostaining, where a 3-minute exposure at a 10 mm distance displayed delivery distribution deep within the dermal layers compared to an exposure at 3 mm where GFP expression was localized within the epidermis. Our findings suggest PAA-mediated delivery warrants further exploration as an alternative approach for DNA transfer for skin targets.
Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA; Department of Biology, College of Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Chelsea M
CM
Edelblute
Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA; School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Loree C
LC
Heller
Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University , Norfolk, VA, USA.
Muhammad A
MA
Malik
Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University , Norfolk, VA, USA.
Anna
A
Bulysheva
Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA; School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Richard
R
Heller