Effect of electrostatic spray on human pulmonary epithelial cells

Aerosolization techniques for delivery of gene therapies to the lungs decrease activity of these treatments. The low transfection is attributed to loss in molecular integrity. Electrosprays can aerosolize DNA without structural loss. Electrospray affects on human pulmonary cells are unknown. This study is to assess toxicity, inflammatory response, and transfection of DNA mixtures delivered via electrospray to human pulmonary cells. EpiAirway™ cells are cultured on air–liquid interfaces and simulate in vivo. All conditions examined (except PEI/DNA 10:1) showed no toxic or inflammation response. Transfection was not observed. In vitro results indicate that electrosprays have potential for administering DNA therapeutics pulmonarily.