i-Fect and siRNA Delvery to Toll-like receptor 4

I have reported use of our i-Fect^TM siRNA delivery kit for gene expression analysis studies of DOR, hTERT, The β3 subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase, rSNSR1, NTS1. NAV1.8, Survivin,  Flaviviruses and more.

These represent potential targets for Pain, Cancer and Infectious Disease Therapies.

The latest study involves successful knockdown of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4):

Wu Fx, Bian Jj, Miao Xr, Huang Sd, Xu Xw, Gong Dj, Sun Ym, Lu Zj, Yu Wf. Intrathecal siRNA against Toll-like receptor 4 reduces nociception in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Int J Med Sci 2010; 7:251-259.

Background: Neuropathic pain is characterized by hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain. It often occurs as a result of injury to peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglions (DRG), spinal cord, or brain. Recent studies have suggested that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) might play a role in neuropathic pain. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we investigated the role of TLR4 in a rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model and explored the feasibility of treating neuropathic pain by inhibiting TLR4. Our results demonstrated that intrathecal siRNA-mediated suppression of TLR4 attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia through inhibiting the activation of NF-κB p65 and production of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-1β). Conclusions/Significance: These findings suggest that suppression of TLR4 mediated by intrathecally administered siRNA may be a new strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Images: Screening siRNA for an efficient suppression of TLR4 expression in vitro. HEK-293 cells were co-transfected with both pEGFRC1-TLR4 and either one of three independent siRNA oligonucleotides targeting TLR4 (TLR4-siRNA1-3) or a control siRNA (MM-siRNA). Two days after transfection, EGFP fluorescence was observed under microscope (A) or quantified by flow cytometry (B). (A) EGFP fluorescence under an inverted fluorescence microscope (×100) or cell density under an optical microscope (×100). A, control; B, siRNA1; C, siRNA2; D, siRNA3. (B) The quantification of TLR4-EGFP fluorescence intensity upon siRNA knockdown was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry results revealed that all 3 siRNAs had efficient inhibition on GFP fluorescence, and TLR4-siRNA2 was the most potent.

intra-i-Fect and intravenous delivery of siRNA

Deliver siRNA in-vivo with stunning results! Introductory Special-200 to 600 USD (valid through 9/30/2010)
These intra-i-Fect kits are designed to deliver siRNA in vivo via intravenous injections with high efficiency to specific tissue in rats and mice. The protocol involves these simple steps: prep, mix, dry, hydrate and inject.

Figure: siRNAs knock down profiles of the gene related to cancer, diabetes, obesity, steatosis hepatitis, cirrhosis and a gene specifically expressed in endothelial cells in liver

They are developed using a proprietary platform that uses nano-particles as the delivery vehicle. This platform enables:
•Effective delivery (60%+ knockdown) with no toxicity.
•Scalable to high throughput siRNA based gene screening.
•Consistent and reproducible results.

i-Fect, Survivin and Gliobastomas

I would like to add Survivin to the list of genes successfully silenced in-vitro and in-vivo using our i-Fect^TMsiRNA delivery kit.

The list includes: DOR, hTERT, The β3 subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase, rSNSR1, NTS1. NAV1.8 and more

Joseph George, Naren L. Banik and Swapan K. Ray. Survivin knockdown and concurrent 4-HPR treatment controlled human glioblastoma in vitro and in vivo. Neuro-Oncology, doi:10.1093/neuonc/noq079.

...survivin siRNA cDNA was suspended in RNAse free sterile water (25 μg DNA/10 μl) and mixed (1:4 v/v) with i-Fect transfection reagent (Neuromics)...

Delivery of the Surivivin siRNA resulted in significant decreases in Glioblatoma Tumor Size.