Short hairpin RNA

[1][2] Expression of shRNA in cells is typically accomplished by delivery of plasmids or through viral or bacterial vectors.

Delivery of plasmids to cells through transfection to obtain shRNA expression can be accomplished using commercially available reagents in vitro.

It builds off research showing that recombinant Escherichia coli, containing a plasmid with shRNA, fed to mice can knock-down target gene expression in the intestinal epithelium.

[5] A variety of viral vectors can be used to obtain shRNA expression in cells including adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), adenoviruses, and lentiviruses.

FANG relies on a bifunctional shRNA (bi-shRNA) against the immunosuppressive transforming growth factors (TGF) β1 and β2.

[8] Autologous tumor cells were harvested from patients and a plasmid encoding the bifunctional shRNA and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) was introduced ex vivo through electroporation.

This pbi-shRNA STMN1 is against stathmin 1 and is delivered intratumorally through bilamellar invaginated vesicle (BIV) lipoplex (LP) technology.

shRNA is typically delivered through use of a vector, and although they are generally efficient, they pose significant safety concerns.

In particular, viral based gene therapy approaches have proved dangerous in past clinical trials.

If the shRNA is expressed at levels that are too high, the cell might not be able to correctly process the endogenous RNA which could cause significant problems.