Efficient and Regulated Erythropoietin Production by Naked DNA Injection and Muscle Electroporation
Abstract
We show that an electric treatment in the form of high-frequency, low-voltage electric pulses can increase more than 100-fold the production and secretion of a recombinant protein from mouse skeletal muscle. Therapeutical erythopoietin (EPO) levels were achieved in mice with a single injection of as little as 1 μg of plasmid DNA, and the increase in hematocrit after EPO production was stable and long-lasting. Pharmacological regulation through a tetracycline-inducible promoter allowed regulation of serum EPO and hematocrit levels. Tissue damage after stimulation was transient. The method described thus provides a potentially safe and low-cost treatment for serum protein deficiencies.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- May 1999
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.96.11.6417
- Bibcode:
- 1999PNAS...96.6417R