Inhibitory effect of Ca2+ on in vivo gene transfer by electroporation1

• Published in: Acta pharmacologica Sinica Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 307 - 310
• Main Authors: ZHAO, Yong‐gang, LU, Hui‐li, PENG, Jin‐liang, XU, Yu‐hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.03.2006
• Subjects: calcium ion; electroporation; gene therapy; gene transfer
• ISSN: 1671-4083; 1745-7254
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00280.x

Aim: To investigate the specific effects of Ca2+ on transgene expression during electroporation‐mediated gene transfer in mice. Methods: Skeletal muscle and skin were subjected to in vivo electroporation with a luciferase reporter plasmid, with or without Ca2+ and various other ions. Results: For in vivo electroporation, the presence of just 10 mmol/L Ca2+ in the DNA solution drastically reduced the resulting transgene expression, to less than 5% of control values. Only Ca2+, not other ions, caused inhibition, and the effect was not tissue specific. More surprisingly, even when Ca2+ ions were delivered by electroporation before or after DNA administration, similar effects were still observed. Conclusion: The inhibitory effect of Ca2+ on in vivo gene transfer by electroporation is specific, ie, the inhibitory effect may be related to the cell membrane properties after electroporation and the subsequent resealing event.