Neuroscience-Best Transfection Practices

I have multiple posting of customer success in transfecting siRNA and plasmids into neurons using Neuromics' i-Fect^TM and pn-Fect^TM...related publications.

Here I post excellent data, images and testimonials provided by researchers using our Magnetic Assisted Transfection (MATraTM). Our goal is to continue our journey towards having the best practices for gene expression analysis studies in the CNS.

With Magnet Assisted Transfection,  IBA/Neuromics offers a very gentle and potent tool for the transfection of many kinds of neuronal cells. Magnet Assisted Transfection is the ideal solution to overcome problems related to the study of complex and easily interrupted systems. Transfection of primary cortical neurons Example 1  Embryonic cortical neurons were transfected with human NCAM. Embryonic cortical neurons were transfected with human NCAM. After transfection membrane-localized NCAM (not endocytosed) was detected using a Cy3-coupled secondary antibody (red). Afterwards, the internalised, endocytosed NCAM was stained by a Cy2-coupled secondary antibody (green, see arrows) in the cell soma (left) and in axonal vesicles (right). Example 2 pPrimary cortical neurons from mice embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) were grown on poly-L-lysine coated coverslips at a density of 800.000 cells/well in a 24-well plate. The neurons were transfected after 1 day in vitro (DIV 1) with pCX-EGFP-N1 plasmid Primary cortical neurons from mice embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) were grown on poly-L-lysine coated coverslips at a density of 800.000 cells/well in a 24-well plate. The neurons were transfected after 1 day in vitro (DIV 1) with pCX-EGFP-N1 plasmid. Transfection was carried out as recommended by the manufacturer (0.6 µg DNA, 0.6 µL Matra-A reagent). Cells were fixed 24 h later (DIV 2) and GFP fluorescence was visualized using a confocal laser scanning microscope. "With MATra we achieved a higher transfection efficiency than with different liposomal transfection methods and no toxicity to the cells was observed." Dr. Simone Diestel, Institute of Animal Science, University Bonn, Germany Cerebellar granular cells from CD1 mice  Cultured cerebellar granular cells from CD1 mice were transfected by below 4 constructs Cultured cerebellar granular cells from CD1 mice were transfected by below 4 constructs (A-D) using MATra-A. (A) MyrPalm-mCFP, cyan (provided by Dr. R. Tsien, UCLA) (B) Actin-DsRed, red (C) Flotillin-2-mVenus, yellow (B and C provided by Dr. R. Tikkanen, University of Giessen) (D) Battenin-myc, detected by using GAM-Alexa647, dark green (E) Surface: Crop of the whole image with 3D surface rendered fluorescence signals overlayed on phase contrast image. (F) PhaCo: Phase contrast image Primary hippocampal neurons (E14)

 Primary hippocampal neurons (E14) were grown on 15 mm glass coverslips on a 12 well at density of 150.000/cm². The neurons were transfected 4 d.i.v. with pSyn-eGFP  Primary hippocampal neurons (E14) were grown on 15 mm glass coverslips on a 12 well at density of 150.000/cm². The neurons were transfected 4 d.i.v. with pSyn-eGFP using 25 µl MATra complex per well (prepared by adding a MATra-A Reagent-DNA complex mixture (2.8 µg cDNA; 2.8 µl beads) into 175 µl neuronal medium without serum). The cells were fixed 6 d.i.v. with 4% PFA and imaged "With MATra we can transfect and modulate the expression levels of exogenous proteins in highly sensitive primary neurons without any toxicity. Once optimized, double and even triple transfections with different DNA ratios are easily achieved", said Dr. Mika Ruonala, Center for Membrane Proteomics, University of Frankfurt. Neurosciences are a vast and expanding field of research focussing on highly sophisticated and enthralling questions. With Magnet Assisted Transfection IBA/Neuromics offers a very gentle and potent tool for the transfection of many kinds of neuronal cells. Magnet Assisted Transfection is the ideal solution to overcome problems related to the study of complex and easily interrupted systems.

PKA+siRNA Block Hyperalgesia

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, , TRPV1, Survivin, Flaviviruses and more.

The data in this pub indicates that selective knock-down of spinal PKA activity by intrathecal (i.th.) pretreatment of rats with a PKA-selective small interference RNA (siRNA) mixture significantly attenuates sustained morphine-mediated augmentation of spinal CGRP immunoreactivity, thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and antinociceptive tolerance. The present findings indicate that sustained morphine-mediated activation of spinal cAMP/PKA-dependent signaling may play an important role in opioid induced hyperalgesia: S. Tumati, W.R. Roeskea, T.M. Largent-Milnesa, T.W. Vanderaha, and EV Varga. Intrathecal PKA-selective siRNA treatment blocks sustained morphine-mediated pain sensitization and antinociceptive tolerance in rats. doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.04.036.

Figure: Intrathecal PKA-selective siRNA treatment blocks the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance.

Male Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated i.th. with vehicle (inverted triangle) or PKA-selective siRNA (circle) for 3 days. After the pretreatments, the animals received continuous saline (open symbols, error bars within the symbol) or morphine (45 nmol/μl/h) (closed symbols, error bars within the symbol) infusion for 6 days, with continued i.th. siRNA or vehicle injections on alternate days. Sustained (6 days) systemic morphine (45 nmol/μl/h) infusion caused a rightward shift in the dose-response curve, with the previous A90 dose causing only 20±1% MPE (**p < 0.01 relative to control, one-way ANOVA, n=5). Intrathecal PKAselective siRNA pre-treatment greatly attenuated sustained morphine-mediated rightward shift in the morphine dose-response curve. Thus, re-challenge with the naive A90 dose (10 μg/5μl) produced 93±2% antinociception in the PKA-selective siRNA pre-treated rat**p < 0.01 relative to vehicle pre-treated morphine-infused rats, one-way ANOVA, n=5). 

Transfection Kits and Related Reagents:

i-Fect ™ -A novel cationic  lipid formulation specifically designed for efficient delivery of 27mer DsiRNAs(dicer substrate small Interfering RNAs)& 21mer siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) in vitro and in vivo.
n-Fect™ -A cationic lipid that has been specifically formulated for nervous system  applications. n-Fect provides higher transfection efficiency than  other commercially available broad-spectrum transfection reagents for glial cells, neuronal cell lines, and certain primary neuronal  cultures.
n-Blast™ -A broad-spectrum  transfection reagent successfully used in many cell types commonly used by neuroscientist.
 pn-Fect™ -The latest advance in transfection technology for primary neuronal  cells. This unique reagent provides ultra-high plasmid DNA delivery efficiencies and low cytotoxicity compared to competitive reagents.
p-Fect™ -Designed to delivery plasmids, DNA or RNA to hard to transfect Cell Lines.
pro-Fect™ -Is a unique  lipid-based formulation that allows the delivery of proteins,  peptides or other bioactive molecules into a broad range of cell  types.
Penatratin-1™ -A peptide for  delivering small molecules into Neurons and other cells. MP  Biomedical is the manufacturer of Penetratin-1
MATra™ Products-Provides a system for Magnetically Driving the transfection process enhancing
the performance of transfectants.
Other Cells-Competent mammalian cells by Category
Primary Neurons and Astrocytes 

I'll be posting more soon.