In Vivo Gene Electroporation: Manipulations of Cells to Whole Body of Living Animals

Abstract

In vivo electroporation is currently an unfamiliar nonviral means of gene transfer, accounting for only about 1% of total studies related to in vivo gene transfer and gene therapy. In the present study, basic principles and applications of in vivo gene electroporation are discussed. Like other nonviral methods, in vivo gene electroporation has a variety of advantages over viral vectors: any types of cells and tissues in theory could become a target; handling is easy and quickly done within a matter of second; repeated administration of DNA is possible; no immunogenicity is expected, and; there is no constraints on amounts and sizes of DNA to be used. Gene transfer efficiency of in vivo electroporation was found to be equivalent or even superior to that of in vivo lipofection, gene gun and direct DNA injection methods. Although most foreign genes are likely to be present in an episomal form when transferred by in vivo electroporation, foreign gene products could be detected for more than 1 month depending on tissues and DNA constructs used. Gene expression generated by in vivo electroporation could be controlled to a certain extent in a tissue- or cell-specific manner, and be induced by intention. Undoubtedly, there still exists plenty of room for improvement to apply this nonviral gene transfer method to manipulations of cells and animals, and better appraisal should be brought forth in the near future.