Construction and Efficacy Evaluation of siRNA Expression Vector Targeting TLR4 Gene of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells / 天津医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To construct vectors expressing small interfering RNA targeting the Toll like receptor-4 (TLR4) gene and obtain TLR4 knock downed vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). Methods Three small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the TLR4 gene were designed, synthesized and cloned into the pSilence 2.1-U6 neo vector. Positive clones were verified with double enzyme digestion and sequencing. Then the recombinants were transfected to SMC by the cationic lipid method respectively.SMC were stably transfected with an expression plasmid and screened by G418. TLR4 mRNA and protein expression were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot methods. Results The pSilence2.1-siTLR4 ex-pression vectors were successfully constructed and a TLR4 knock-downed SMC cell line was established. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed that the expression of TLR4 was significantly down-regulated in the infected SMC cell line, and pSilence2.1-siTLR4-1was the most efficacious recombinant vector.Conclusion Recombinant vectors carrying shRNA targeting the TLR4 gene were successfully constructed and the TLR4 expression in vascular SMCs was inhibited.