Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful tool for gene silencing in vivo, but its therapeutic application in rat models is limited by rapid degradation by nucleases, poor cellular uptake, and potential immunogenicity. Chemical modifications of siRNA molecules have been developed to address these challenges by enhancing stability, reducing off-target effects, and improving pharmacokinetics while…
Rat myoblast cell lines provide an essential in vitro platform for studying gene function and therapeutic strategies in muscular dystrophy research. Plasmid DNA transfection into these cells enables overexpression or silencing of genes implicated in muscle development, regeneration, and disease pathology. Achieving efficient transfection in myoblasts requires overcoming barriers such as low proliferative rates, differentiation-associated…
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…
