High-efficiency siRNA-based gene knockdown in human embryonic stem cells

RNA. 2010 Dec;16(12):2564-9. doi: 10.1261/rna.2350710. Epub 2010 Oct 26.

Abstract

Loss-of-function studies in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) via nonviral approaches have been largely unsuccessful. Here we report a simple and cost-effective method for high-efficiency delivery of plasmids and siRNAs into hESCs and iPSCs. Using this method for siRNA delivery, we achieve >90% reduction in the expression of the stem cell factors Oct4 and Lin28, and observe cell morphological and staining pattern changes, characteristics of hESC differentiation, as a result of Oct4 knockdown.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Count
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Efficiency
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques / methods*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • POU5F1 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins