Controlling mesenchymal stem cell gene expression using polymer-mediated delivery of siRNA.

ABSTRACT: siRNA treatment has great promise to specifically control gene expression and select cell behaviors but has delivery challenges limiting its use. Particularly for applications in regenerative medicine, uniform and consistent delivery of siRNA to control gene expression and subsequent stem cell functions, such as differentiation, is paramount. Therefore, a diblock copolymer was examined for its ability to effectively deliver siRNA to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The diblock copolymers, which are composed of cationic blocks for siRNA complexation, protection, and uptake and pH-responsive blocks for endosomal escape, were shown to facilitate nearly 100% MSC uptake of siRNA. This is vastly superior to a commercially available control, DharmaFECT, which resulted in only ~60% siRNA positive MS

SUBMITTER: Benoit DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3501203 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature