Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection is a precise method used to deliver nucleic acids directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of neonatal rats, facilitating widespread distribution throughout the central nervous system (CNS). This technique bypasses the blood-brain barrier, which is otherwise a significant obstacle to the delivery of large or charged molecules like plasmid DNA, siRNA, or…
Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a widely used cationic polymer for nonviral gene delivery, known for its ability to compact plasmid DNA into nanoscale polyplexes that facilitate cellular uptake and endosomal escape via the “proton sponge” effect. In rat tumor xenograft models, PEI-mediated DNA delivery is employed to introduce therapeutic or reporter genes directly into tumor tissue,…
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression in cardiomyocytes, modulating processes such as hypertrophy, apoptosis, and electrophysiological remodeling. The ability to manipulate miRNA levels through overexpression or knockdown in rat cardiomyocytes provides insights into cardiac development, disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets. Achieving efficient transfection of miRNA mimics or inhibitors into primary rat cardiomyocytes…
Tail vein injection remains a foundational technique for achieving systemic delivery of nucleic acids in rat models, enabling widespread biodistribution of plasmid DNA, siRNA, shRNA, and mRNA for research in gene therapy, disease modeling, and pharmacogenomics. The success of tail vein injection depends heavily on technical execution, solution formulation, and volume-to-weight ratio, as well as…
Achieving efficient in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) within the rat kidney cortex requires a combination of precise delivery techniques, specialized formulation chemistry, and organ-targeted biodistribution strategies. The kidney poses several barriers to siRNA or shRNA delivery, including glomerular filtration, rapid systemic clearance, and limited endocytosis by renal epithelial cells. The goal of RNAi in this…
The transfection of rat dendritic cells (DCs) represents a pivotal tool in the development of cancer vaccines, enabling the presentation of tumor antigens to initiate potent cytotoxic T cell responses. Rat DCs, like their human and murine counterparts, are professional antigen-presenting cells capable of orchestrating adaptive immune responses when loaded with exogenous nucleic acids encoding…
Delivering mRNA to the pulmonary epithelium of rats using nonviral nanoparticles is a cutting-edge approach for studying gene expression in the respiratory tract and developing therapies for pulmonary diseases. Unlike viral vectors, which can provoke immune responses and integration-related risks, nonviral systems such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), polymeric nanoparticles, and hybrid nanocarriers offer a safer…
The generation of genetically modified rats through CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing has been significantly advanced by the development of efficient delivery techniques targeting one-cell zygotes. The two principal methods employed for the introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 components—microinjection and electroporation—each offer distinct advantages and trade-offs in terms of editing efficiency, technical complexity, and embryo viability. Microinjection involves the…
siRNA-mediated gene knockdown in rat neural stem cells (NSCs) presents unique challenges due to the complexity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the fragile nature of NSCs, and the need for precise targeting of specific genes within the central nervous system (CNS). Successful delivery of siRNA to NSCs in vivo generally requires advanced methods to bypass…
Electroporation is a powerful physical method for enhancing the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, particularly in tissues such as skeletal muscle, where direct injection of naked DNA often results in poor uptake. In vivo electroporation in rats requires careful control of multiple parameters, including electrode configuration, applied voltage, pulse duration, and the number of pulses….
