Simple Gene Knockdown in Endothelial Cells Using Short Interfering RNA Oligonucleotides

Cell transfection using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is a widely used technique to perform loss of function studies by "knocking down" genes of interest. Oftentimes, primary cells can be difficult to transfect, but here we provide a simple and robust method using cultured endothelial cells and routine transfection reagents. Knockdown studies can be used to complement overexpression studies and validate biochemical pathway analysis, as well as functional assays. The enclosed protocol will compliment other in vitro assays detailed in this edition.