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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Highly Efficient Transfection of Primary Macrophages with In Vitro Transcribed mRNA

Highly Efficient Transfection of Primary Macrophages with In Vitro Transcribed mRNA

Published on: November 9, 2019

Transfecting Macrophages.

Andrea-Anneliese Keller^1,2, Marten B Maeß³, Michael Schnoor⁴

¹Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|May 16, 2018

Summary

This study presents an effective electroporation method for transfecting hard-to-transfect macrophages with nucleic acids. The protocol successfully delivers plasmid DNA or small interfering RNA without triggering immune responses.

Keywords:

Electroporation Macrophages Nucleofection Plasmid DNA RNA interference THP-1 Transfection siRNA

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Last Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Highly Efficient Transfection of Primary Macrophages with In Vitro Transcribed mRNA

Highly Efficient Transfection of Primary Macrophages with In Vitro Transcribed mRNA

Published on: November 9, 2019

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection

Published on: September 2, 2014

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages

Published on: June 23, 2013

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Immunology

Background:

Transfection, the introduction of foreign nucleic acids into cells, is crucial for gene research.
Macrophages are challenging to transfect due to their innate immune response to foreign nucleic acids.
Existing methods often fail or activate macrophages, complicating functional studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop an effective method for transfecting macrophages.
To enable gene overexpression via plasmid DNA and gene silencing via small interfering RNA (siRNA) in macrophages.
To avoid macrophage activation during the transfection process.

Main Methods:

Utilized an optimized electroporation protocol.
Employed human THP-1 macrophage cell line.
Delivered plasmid DNA and siRNA using electroporation.

Main Results:

Achieved efficient transfection of THP-1 macrophages with both plasmid DNA and siRNA.
Demonstrated successful gene manipulation (overexpression and silencing).
Confirmed the absence of macrophage activation post-transfection.

Conclusions:

The presented electroporation protocol is a robust tool for transfecting macrophages.
This method facilitates the investigation of gene function and regulation in macrophages.
The protocol overcomes the challenge of macrophage immune activation during nucleic acid delivery.