Long-term RNA interference from optimized siRNA expression constructs in adult mice

DNA constructs for small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression in mammalian cells have the potential for longer-term target gene knockdown than synthetic siRNAs. We compared in adult mice the efficacy and longevity of target gene knockdown from siRNA expression cassettes contained in plasmids, PCR-generated linear constructs or PCR constructs containing “dumbbell” ends using the hydrodynamic delivery method. Plasmid siRNA expression constructs were more effective than PCR constructs for target gene knockdown. The efficacy of the PCR constructs was improved by addition of short extensions beyond the transcription termination signal and greatly improved by addition of dumbbell ends. Constructs containing the H1 promoter were significantly less effective in mice than those containing the U6 promoter, whereas both promoters functioned equally well in cultured cells. Target gene knockdown perdured for at least 20 weeks in mice after delivery of either PCR or plasmid siRNA expression cassettes. These results will help guide RNAi vector design.