Definition of a Novel Plasmid-Based Gene Transfection Protocol of Mammalian Skeletal Muscles by Means of In Vivo Electroporation

In this study we describe an original electroporation protocol for in vivo plasmid DNA transfection. The right hind limbs of C57 mice are exposed to a specifically designed train of permeabilizing electric pulses by transcutaneous application of tailored needle electrodes, immediately after the injection of pEGFP-C1 plasmid encoding GFP (Green Fluorescente Protein). The electroporated rodents show a greater GFP expression than the controls at three different time points (4, 10, and 15 days). The electroporated muscles display only mild interstitial myositis, with a significant increase in inflammatory cell infiltrates. Finally, mild gait abnormalities are registered in electroporated mice only in the first 48 h after the treatment. This protocol has proven to be highly efficient in terms of expression levels of the construct, is easy to apply since it does not require surgical exposure of the muscle and is well tolerated by the animals because it does not cause evident morphological and functional damage to the electroporated muscle.

Spugnini EP, Scimeca M, Amadio B, Cortese G, Fanciulli M, Vincenzi B, De Luca A, Baldi A. Definition of a Novel Plasmid-Based Gene Transfection Protocol of Mammalian Skeletal Muscles by Means of In Vivo Electroporation. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Sep 5;21(18):6494.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32899477/

Electroporation increases antitumoral efficacy of the bcl-2 antisense G3139 and chemotherapy in a human melanoma xenograft

Nucleic acids designed to modulate the expression of target proteins remain a promising therapeutic strategy in several diseases, including cancer. However, clinical success is limited by the lack of efficient intracellular delivery. In this study we evaluated whether electroporation could increase the delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides against bcl-2 (G3139) as well as the efficacy of combination chemotherapy in human melanoma xenografts. The G3139/Electroporation combined therapy produced a significant inhibition of tumor growth (TWI, more than 50%) accompanied by a marked tumor re-growth delay (TRD, about 20 days). The efficacy of this treatment was due to the higher G3139 uptake in tumor cells which led to a marked down-regulation of bcl-2 protein expression. Moreover, the G3139/EP combination treatment resulted in an enhanced apoptotic index and a decreased proliferation rate of tumors. Finally, an increased tumor response was observed after treatment with the triple combination G3139/DDP/EP, showing a TWI of about 75% and TRD of 30 days. These results demonstrate that electroporation is an effective strategy to improve the delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides within tumor cells in vivo and it may be instrumental in optimizing the response of melanoma to chemotherapy. The high response rate observed in this study suggest to apply this strategy for the treatment of melanoma patients.

Spugnini EP, Biroccio A, De Mori R, Scarsella M, D’Angelo C, Baldi A, Leonetti C. Electroporation increases antitumoral efficacy of the bcl-2 antisense G3139 and chemotherapy in a human melanoma xenograft. J Transl Med. 2011 Jul 28;9:125  https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5876-9-125

Electroporation as a strategy to promote HtrA1 gene uptake and chemotherapy efficacy in a mouse model of mesothelioma.

There is not a consensus on the best therapeutic approach to mesothelioma and the prognosis is still dismal. We have recently demonstrated that HtrA1 is a potential therapeutic target in mesothelioma cells. In this manuscript we describe that electroporation in a mouse mesothelioma xenograft was able to facilitate the expression of exogenous HtrA1 injected intra-lesionally in the tumors and to increase the penetration in the neoplastic cells of cisplatin given intra-peritoneally. Indeed, HtrA1 over-expression caused a significant slowing down of tumor growth; moreover, cisplatin efficacy in reducing tumor mass was amplified by electroporation and this phenomenon was even more significant when combining the electroporation of cisplatin and HtrA1. Considering that a substantial number of mesothelioma patients develop early local recurrence, even with radical resection combined with aggressive chemo- and radiotherapy, this multi-modality approach could be very effective in improving local tumor control after surgery. The identification of effective combination coupled with the development of novel equipments and electrodes will be instrumental in planning the translation of these results to humans as per correct laboratory-clinical interface.

Spugnini EP, Cardillo I, Fanciulli M, Crispi S, Vincenzi B, Boccellino M, Quagliuolo L, Baldi A. Electroporation as a strategy to promote HtrA1 gene uptake and chemotherapy efficacy in a mouse model of mesothelioma. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2013 Jun 1;5(3):974-81.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237094668_Electroporation_as_a_strategy_to_promote_HtrA1_gene_uptake_and_chemotherapy_efficacy_in_a_mouse_model_of_mesothelioma