Development of Streamed Ion Deposition for Efficient Plasmid DNA Delivery

描述(申请人提供)：本申请建议探索一种新颖的皮肤DNA输送平台，该平台利用等离子体中产生的离子流(带电气流)来促进DNA的摄取。这种新的物理DNA传递技术与其他技术的不同之处在于它不使用化学或生物制剂。它还不同于其他物理DNA传递方法，因为它不需要任何设备与皮肤接触；因此，它是非侵入性的。初步研究表明，有可能在体外将外源分子输送到细胞，并在体内将质粒DNA输送到正常小鼠皮肤，而不会出现使用其他电学方法时所注意到的不利刺激。基于这些发现，这项提议的假设是，流离子沉积可以用于将DNA高效地输送到皮肤。这一假说将通过执行特定的目标来检验，以表征其传递编码报告分子的质粒的能力。还将测试其传递编码抗原和分泌蛋白的质粒的能力，以探索预防和治疗使用的方法。 公共卫生相关性：这项研究与公共健康相关，因为研究结果可能导致许多类型的疾病的治疗，这些疾病需要向血液中分泌一种治疗性蛋白。此外，它可能会带来一种更好的方法来应用DNA疫苗来对抗传染病。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application proposes to explore a novel DNA delivery platform for skin that utilizes a stream of ions generated in plasma (charged gas stream) to facilitate the uptake of DNA. This new physical DNA delivery technology differs from other technologies in that it does not utilize chemical or biological agents. It also differs from other physical DNA delivery methods in that it does not require contact between any devices and the skin; therefore, it is noninvasive. Preliminary studies have shown that it is possible to deliver foreign molecules to cells in vitro and plasmid DNA to normal mouse skin in vivo without the adverse stimulation noted when other electrical methodologies are used. Based on these findings, the hypothesis of this proposal is that streamed ion deposition can be used for efficient DNA delivery to skin. This hypothesis will be tested by performing specific aims that characterize its capacity to deliver plasmids encoding reporter molecules. It will also be tested with respect to delivering plasmid encoding an antigen and a secreted protein to explore the methods capacity for prophylactic and therapeutic use. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This study is relevant to public health as the results may lead to treatments for many types of diseases that require the secretion of a therapeutic protein into the blood. In addition, it may lead to a better means of applying DNA vaccines against infectious diseases.