Electroporation: An Effective Method For In Vivo Gene Delivery

Abstract

Gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, hereditary disorders, and some viral infections. Development of efficient and safe gene delivery systems is essential for facilitating gene transfer to various organs and tissues in vivo. In this review, we briefly describe the principal mechanisms of gene delivery systems, particularly electroporation, and discuss the latest advancements in the application of electroporation for in vivo gene transfer. A narrative review of all the relevant publication known to the authors was conducted. In recent years, electroporation-based strategies have emerged as an auspicious and versatile platform for efficient and controlled delivery of various biomolecules, including nucleic acids. Applying electric pulses of enough magnitude leads to the formation of hydrophilic pores in the cell membrane and allows the entry of otherwise membrane-impermeant molecules, such as DNA. Although electroporation has been initially developed for in vitro transfection of cells, it has recently advanced to preclinical in vivo applications and finally to clinical trials. Electroporation has already entered the clinical practice for antitumor therapy and may be an essential part of future personalized treatments. Given the ability of electroporation to deliver multiple genes in a single event, it will also certainly be further developed both as a stand-alone delivery approach and when coupled with other technologies.