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Updated: Jun 17, 2025
06:20
Electroporation of Plasmid DNA into Mouse Skeletal Muscle
Published on: April 6, 2022
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DNA Electrotransfer Regulates Molecular Functions in Skeletal Muscle
Amanda Sales Conniff1, Jared Tur1, Kristopher Kohena1
1Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Bioelectricity
|August 9, 2024
Summary
Electric pulses enhance plasmid DNA delivery to muscle tissue, causing specific molecular changes related to stress and inflammation. Understanding these effects is key for developing effective gene therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle is a target for plasmid DNA (pDNA) delivery for vaccines and therapeutics.
- Electroporation (electric pulses) enhances cell permeability for improved pDNA delivery and expression.
- Molecular effects of DNA electrotransfer on muscle tissue are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the molecular changes in muscle tissue following intramuscular DNA electrotransfer.
- To differentiate the effects of electric pulses versus pDNA injection on gene expression.
- To identify unique molecular responses to guide gene therapy development.
Main Methods:
- Intramuscular pDNA electrotransfer in muscle tissue.
- RNA sequencing to evaluate gene expression changes four hours post-treatment.
- Gene Ontology (GO) pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes.
Main Results:
- GO analysis revealed enriched functions related to muscle stress, cytoskeleton, and inflammation from pulse application.
- pDNA injection regulated terms associated with DNA-directed responses and control.
- pDNA electrotransfer affected pathways similar to pulse application, but also included pDNA entry and trafficking.
Conclusions:
- Muscle stimulus via DNA electrotransfer induces specific molecular functions.
- Identifying these intrinsic molecular changes is crucial for designing effective gene therapies.
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