Study data from Monash University, Australian Stem Cell Center update knowledge of gene therapy
2007 NOV 19 -- A report, 'Gap junction mediated transport of shRNA between human embryonic stem cells,' is newly published data in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. "Gap junction intracellular communication (GJIC) allows the direct transport of small molecules between adjacent cells. We hypothesized that siRNAs in one hESC could inhibit target RNA expression in another hESC via GJIC," scientists writing in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications report. "We co-cultured green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing ENVY hESC with non-GFP-expressing hESC, which had been transduced to stably express shRNA directed against GFP. We discovered that the GFP shRNA expressing hESC inhibited GFP expression in the adjacent GFP-expressing hESC in a dose-dependent manner. This downregulation of GFP expression in ENVY cells was not observed when the co-cultured cells had been transduced with a non-functional GFP shRNA that was mutated at two nucleotides or when the cells were incubated with the GJIC inhibitor, alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (alpha-GA). We conclude that 21-23 bp double-stranded shRNA/siRNA oligonucleotides are able to move through gap junctions between hESCs and thus can affect gene expression in neighbouring hESC," wrote E.J. Wolvetang and colleagues, Monash University, Australian Stem Cell Center. The researchers concluded: "This novel intercellular gene expression regulatory mechanism may offer new approaches to manipulation of hESC." Wolvetang and colleagues published their study in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (Gap junction mediated transport of shRNA between human embryonic stem cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2007;363(3):610-5). Additional information can be obtained by contacting E.J. Wolvetang, Monash University, The Australian Stem Cell Centre and Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Building 75 STRIP, Wellington Road, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia. The publisher of the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications can be contacted at: Academic Press Inc. Elsevier Science, 525 B St., Ste. 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA. Keywords: Australia, Clayton, Biochemical, Biotechnology, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Gene Therapy, Oligonucleotide, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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