Objective: RNA interference is a process in which genes can be silenced sequence-specifically. In mammals, RNA interference can be invoked by introduction of small (19-21-nucleotide) double-stranded RNA molecules known as small interfering RNA (siRNA) into cells. Thereby, siRNA offers promise as a novel therapeutic modality. However, siRNA is a relatively large, highly charged molecule and does not readily enter cells. This study was undertaken to investigate the use of electroporation for in vivo transfection of siRNA into joint tissue in arthritic mice to achieve local RNA interference.
Methods: Proof of principle that siRNA is able to inhibit gene expression in vivo in the mouse joint was studied by local injection and electroporation of siRNA designed to silence reporter genes. In mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), the disease-modulating activity of siRNA designed to silence tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) was investigated.
Results: Luciferase activity could be reduced by >90% with luciferase-specific siRNA as compared with the activity measured after electroporation without siRNA or with irrelevant siRNA. The effect was observed only locally. In mice with CIA, electroporation of siRNA designed to inhibit TNFalpha strongly inhibited joint inflammation, whereas electroporation of irrelevant siRNA or injection of siRNA against TNFalpha without electroporation failed to produce therapeutic effects.
Conclusion: Local electroporation of siRNA in joint tissue can inhibit CIA in mice. These results offer promise for the use of siRNA as a new strategy for therapeutic intervention in rheumatoid arthritis and may serve as a tool to study arthritis disease pathways through loss-of-function phenotypes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.20975 | DOI Listing |
Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao
January 2025
Jiangsu Research Institute of Sports Science, Nanjing 210033, China.
Objectives: To investigate the effect of high glucose on macrophage polarization and the role of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) in mediating its effect.
Methods: RAW264.7 cells were transfected with IRG1-overexpressing plasmid or IRG1 siRNA via electroporation and cultured in either normal or high glucose for 72 h to observe the changes in cell viability and morphology using CCK-8 assay and phase contrast microscopy.
EBioMedicine
January 2025
State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China; Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, 110001, China; Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, 110001, China. Electronic address:
Background: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively inhibits viral replication, it does not fully mitigate the immunosenescence instigated by HIV infection. Cellular metabolism regulates cellular differentiation, survival, and senescence. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is the first key enzyme for the entry of serine into the mitochondria from the de novo synthesis pathway that orchestrates its conversion glutathione (GSH), a key molecule in neutralising ROS and ensuring the stability of the immune system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pharmacol
January 2025
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:
The interaction between a cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) on cancer cells and signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) on macrophages is thought to hinder macrophage phagocytic activity, which can be blocked by combining siRNAs targeting SIRPα (siSIRPα) with simultaneous involvement of activating receptors like FcRs (Fc receptors) anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1). For this study, M1 macrophage-derived exosomes were used to deliver the siRNAs, isolated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and electroporated with siSIRPα.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
December 2024
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
mRNA-based vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic have propelled the use of nucleic acids for drug delivery. Conventional lipid-based carriers, such as liposomes and nanolipogels, effectively encapsulate and deliver RNA but are hindered by issues such as premature burst release and immunogenicity. To address these challenges, cell membrane-coated nanoparticles offer a promising alternative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCytotechnology
February 2025
Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women with a 20% mortality rate. The fate of patients suffering from breast cancer can be influenced by immune cells and tumor cells interaction in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Immune checkpoints such as Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) are regulators of the immune system and defend normal tissues from immune cell attacks but they can be expressed in breast cancer tissue and facilitate immune evasion of tumoral cells.
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