Between defence and delivery: the DNA sensing response to gene electrotransfer.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and mechanistic discussion based on preclinical bench and animal research without new human clinical data.
PubMed 41401059 · doi:10.2478/raon-2025-0063
What was done
The authors synthesized evidence on the cellular and innate immune responses triggered by gene electrotransfer (GET), specifically reviewing how delivered plasmid DNA interacts with intracellular DNA sensing pathways across tumor, muscle, and skin models.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or statistical findings. It describes qualitatively that GET-delivered plasmid DNA, including non-coding constructs, stimulates intracellular DNA sensing pathways, resulting in local immune stimulation and tissue-specific inflammation. This response can provide beneficial adjuvant effects for vaccines and cancer therapy, but excessive activation can cause cell death and reduce transfection efficiency.
Why it matters
Understanding that plasmid DNA acts as an active immune stimulus rather than an inert cargo allows investigators to rationally engineer plasmid vectors and tune electric pulse parameters according to the desired clinical application.
Limits
No quantitative data, sample sizes, or formal study designs are reported in the abstract. As a narrative review focusing on preclinical models, it lacks systematic review methodology and direct evidence from controlled human clinical trials.
Cited by
- supports Introducing genes into cells using viral vectors or plasmids can cause engineered tissues to express foreign antigens that trigger immune rejection upon transplantation.