In vitro and ex vivo applications of
intracellular delivery achieved with electroporation. (A) Delivery of
impermeable drugs to the intracellular space for drug testing and/or cell
manipulation. (B) Transfection with plasmid DNA encoding proteins, antibodies,
and viral components for biomanufacturing purposes. (C) Loading of protein
antigens or mRNA encoding such into dendritic cells. Presentation of antigen
fragments through MHC pathways is able to prime T cells against cells carrying
the antigens and may be useful for cancer immunotherapy. (D) Transfection of
cytotoxic immune cells with mRNA encoding TCRs and/or CARs can be used to direct
immune cells against specific cell targets, such as cancer cells. TCR = T cell
receptor. CAR = chimeric antigen receptor. (E) Genome-editing molecules can be
delivered into stem cells for purposes of adding, deleting, or correcting genes.
Modified stem cells can then be expanded for potential deployment in cell-and
tissue-based gene therapy. Red signifies areas of the genome that have been
edited. ZFN = zinc finger nuclease.