Method for genetic immunization
AssigneeInovio AS
InventorIacob Mathiesen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for enhanced vaccination and genetic vaccination of mammals. The vaccination is accomplished by delivering molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids into skeletal muscle and other cells residing in the skeletal muscle in vivo. The protein or nucleic acid is first injected into the muscle at one or multiple sites. Immediately or shortly after injection, electrodes are placed flanking the injection site and a specific amount of electrical current is passed through the muscle. The electrical current makes the muscle permeable, thus allowing the pharmaceutical drug or nucleic acid to enter the cell. The efficiency of transfer permits robust immune responses using DNA vaccines and produces sufficient secreted proteins for systemic biological activity to be observed.
Claims15
A method of obtaining a source of antibodies from a mammal, comprising:
- (a) injecting one or more expression vectors into skeletal muscle of a mammal, whereby a penetration site and a treatment region are created, wherein (i) said vector contains a nucleic acid segment that encodes a polypeptide and (ii) said segment is under genetic control suitable to express said polypeptide in cells of said mammal;
- (b) positioning electrodes spaced from said penetration site such that current traveling between the electrodes passes through the treatment region;
- (c) electrically stimulating the muscle with an electrical current;
- and thereafter
- (d) obtaining from said mammal a source of antibody against said polypeptide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.