Assessment of delivery parameters with the multi-electrode array for development of a DNA vaccine against Bacillus anthracis

• MEA delivery at 25 and 35 V significantly increase antibodies compared to IO.
• No significant differences were seen from adding additional treatments.
• No significant differences were seen from increasing amount of plasmid.
• Results were similar when compared to muscle gene electrotransfer groups.
• Neutralizing antibodies were induced from MEA delivery at 25 and 35 V.

Gene electrotransfer (GET) enhances delivery of DNA vaccines by increasing both gene expression and immune responses. Our lab has developed the multi-electrode array (MEA) for DNA delivery to skin. The MEA was used at constant pulse duration (150 ms) and frequency (6.67 Hz). In this study, delivery parameters including applied voltage (5–45 V), amount of plasmid (100–300 μg), and number of treatments (2−3) were evaluated for delivery of a DNA vaccine. Mice were intradermally injected with plasmid expressing Bacillus anthracis protective antigen with or without GET and αPA serum titers measured. Within this experiment no significant differences were noted in antibody levels from varying dose or treatment number. However, significant differences were measured from applied voltages of 25 and 35 V. These voltages generated antibody levels between 20,000 and 25,000. Serum from animals vaccinated with these conditions also resulted in toxin neutralization in 40–60% of animals. Visual damage was noted at MEA conditions of 40 V. No damage was noted either visually or histologically from conditions of 35 V or below. These results reflect the importance of establishing appropriate electrical parameters and the potential for the MEA in non-invasive DNA vaccination against B. anthracis.