Electroporation (EP) is a physical method for the delivery of molecules into cells and tissues, including the skin. In this study, in order to control the degree of transdermal and topical drug delivery, EP at different amplitudes of electric pulses was evaluated. A new in vivo real-time monitoring system based on fluorescently labeled molecules was developed, for the quantification of transdermal and topical drug delivery. EP of the mouse skin was performed with new non-invasive multi-array electrodes, delivering different amplitudes of electric pulses ranging from 70 to 570 V, between the electrode pin pairs. Patches, soaked with 4 kDa fluoresceinisothiocyanate labeled dextran, doxorubicin or fentanyl, were applied to the skin before and after EP. This study demonstrates that with the newly developed non-invasive multi-array electrodes and with the varying electric pulse amplitude, the amount of topical and transdermal drug delivery to the skin can be controlled. Furthermore, the newly developed monitoring system provides a tool for rapid real-time determination of both, transdermal and topical delivery, when the delivered molecule is fluorescent.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1617019
Electrofusion is an efficient method for fusing cells using short-duration high-voltage electric pulses. However, electrofusion yields are very low when fusion partner cells differ considerably in their size, since the extent of electroporation (consequently membrane fusogenic state) with conventionally used microsecond pulses depends proportionally on the cell radius. We proposed a new and innovative approach to fuse cells with shorter, nanosecond (ns) pulses. Using numerical calculations we demonstrated that ns pulses can induce selective electroporation of the contact areas between cells (i.e. the target areas), regardless of the cell size. We then confirmed experimentally on B16F1 and CHO cell lines that electrofusion of cells with either equal or different size by using ns pulses is indeed feasible. Based on our results we expect that ns pulses can improve fusion yields in electrofusion of cells with different size, such as myeloma cells and B lymphocytes in hybridoma technology.
COBISS.SI-ID: 10300500
A new electroporation monitoring method that allows direct measurement of the electric field strength during the treatment was introduced. The method is able to detect inadequate electric field distribution before the end of the treatment which is essential for improving the electroporation treatment. As measurement of the electric field inside the tissue is not possible, we established indirect approach using magnetic resonance. Electric field is obtained by measured conductivity of the tissue and current density established during the application of pulses.
COBISS.SI-ID: 8693332
For an effective tissue controlled electropermeabilization as requested for electrochemotherapy and gene therapy, it is very important to know the electric field distribution provided by a defined set of electrodes. Field distribution obtained by finite element models was observed to be very localized and highly homogeneous with the new concept of contact wire electrodes. They allow to focus the field effect along the surface of the tissue to induce a controlled release of drugs or plasmids. Non invasive (contact) electrodes can be moved rapidly on the body and avoid puncturing the skin and the tissue. They can be used for large surface effects, to treat the skin and subcutaneous tumors. The use of contact electrodes after drug or DNA intradermal injection were validated by clinical treatment of large surface skin tumors and by in vivo imaging of permeabilization or of gene expression.
COBISS.SI-ID: 7006036
When high-amplitude, short-duration pulsed electric fields are applied to cells and tissues, the permeability of the cell membranes and tissue is increased. This increase in permeability is currently explained by the temporary appearance of aqueous pores within the cell membrane, a phenomenon termed electroporation. During the past four decades, advances in fundamental and experimental electroporation research have allowed for the translation of electroporation-based technologies to the clinic. In this review, we describe the theory and current applications of electroporation in medicine and then discuss current challenges in electroporation research and barriers to a more extensive spread of these clinical applications.
COBISS.SI-ID: 10569812