Electroporation-mediated siRNA delivery into tumors

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1121:131-8. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_11.

Abstract

Electroporation-mediated gene transfer (electro-transfection) is a powerful tool to introduce nucleic acid compounds such as plasmid DNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into the cells. Electro-transfection is a physical gene transfer method that utilizes an electrostatic field generated with an electroporator apparatus. Here, we demonstrate a practical protocol for electro-transfection (electro-delivery) of siRNA into cells in vivo and further demonstrate the application of the method to cancer therapy. We successfully developed an original electrode (the plate and fork-type electrode) and used it for in vivo electro-delivery of siRNA. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor, was chosen as a model target gene. Electro-delivery of an siRNA targeting VEGF into the xenografted tumors in nude mice significantly suppressed the growth of tumors. By repeating the therapy with a chemically modified siRNA after an interval of 20 days, satisfactory anticancer effects were achieved.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Electroporation / methods*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Transfection / methods*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering