VisuFect-mediated siRNA delivery into zygotes.

Authors :: Joo JY
Lee J
Ko HY
Lee YS
Heo H
Gu HN
Cho S
Kim S
Source :: Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces [Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces] 2015 Nov 01; Vol. 135, pp. 646-651. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Aug 21.
Publication Year :: 2015
Abstract: Current methods for delivering foreign genetic materials into mammalian cells are highly successful. However, these methods cannot be applied in oocyte or embryo systems due to their toxicity and low efficiency. Moreover, no satisfactory methods exist for delivering foreign genetic material without inducing physical damage to membranes. Here we developed an organic compound (VisuFect)-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery method and evaluated this method in P19 cells and mouse zygotes. Oct4-siRNA conjugated VisuFect (Oct4-siRNA-VF) permeated the zona pellucida effectively and localized inside mouse zygotes without inducing membrane damage. Successful VisuFect-mediated delivery was further demonstrated by strong transcriptional repression of Oct4 expression by the delivered Oct4-siRNA, in addition to repressed embryonic development of mouse zygotes.<br /> (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)