Enhancement of DNA vaccine potency by electroporation in vivo

The potential of electric current-mediated delivery technology to enhance D NA delivery and DNA vaccine potency was evaluated. Higher levels of reporte r gene expression were observed in muscle cells of mice inoculated with luc iferase or beta-galactosidase DNA followed by the application of electrical current, compared with DNA injected with no current. Similarly, substantia lly higher levels of immune responses (up to 20-fold) were demonstrated in mice vaccinated with HIV gag DNA and electric current. These enhanced respo nses were observed after one or two inoculations, and were maintained for a t least 12 weeks. Therefore, the present studies demonstrate the utility of electroporation for enhancement of DNA vaccine potency in animals. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.