Electrically Oscillating Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Enhanced DNA Vaccination against Hepatitis C Virus.

ABSTRACT: The promise of DNA vaccines is far-reaching. However, the development of potent immunization methods remains a key challenge for its use in clinical applications. Here, an approach for in vivo DNA vaccination by electrically activated plasmonic Au nanoparticles is reported. The electrical excitation of plasmonic nanoparticles can drive vibrational and dipole-like oscillations that are able to disrupt nearby cell membranes. In combination with their intrinsic ability to focus and magnify the electric field on the surface of cells, Au nanoparticles allow enhanced cell poration and facilitate the uptake of DNA vaccine. Mice immunized with this approach showed up to 100-fold higher gene expression compared to control treatments (without nanoparticles) and exhibited significantly increased leve

SUBMITTER: Draz MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5701658 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature