Using siRNA technique to generate transgenic animals with spatiotemporal and conditional gene knockdown

Am J Pathol. 2004 Nov;165(5):1535-41. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)63411-6.

Abstract

Based on the RNAi technique, we have developed a new approach that generates transgenic animals capable of mimicking human genetic diseases. The new system is a combination of siRNA with Cre-loxP and tetracycline-on. It has the characteristics of being stable, inheritable, and inducible, with the siRNA able to be transcribed tissue specifically. To support the ability of this new method to generate a model for a disease, we created an ABCA1-deficient mouse line that mimics Tangier disease under controlled conditions. Thus, it should now be possible to rapidly establish human genetic diseases as a whole animal model without the use of embryonic stem cell and gene targeting. This system also provides a tool for pathological and pharmacological studies of aspects peculiar to particular human genetic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology
  • Genetic Techniques*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Genetic
  • Phenotype
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Tangier Disease / genetics
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transfection

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Cholesterol
  • Doxycycline