Figure 5.

LNP-siRNA lasts for 7 days at least in the rat knee joint.

Notes: Fluorescent signals were monitored dynamically by FMT. There was no signal in the left knee (red ovals). In contrast, fluorescent signals lasted for 7 days and reached climax at day 2 in the right knee (yellow ovals) (A). Quantitative data indicated that fluorescence signals could be detected after 4 hours and reached climax on day 2, then decreased gradually (B). Seven days after LNP-Ihh siRNA in vivo treatment, cartilage Ihh mRNA decreased by 44.1% and type II collagen mRNA level significantly increased, while type X collagen mRNA level decreased. Values are mean ± standard error of the mean. ^*P<0.01 versus siRNA (Ihh) treatment group (C).

Abbreviations: FMT, fluorescence molecular tomography; Ihh, Indian Hedgehog; LNP, lipid nanoparticle; siRNA, small interference RNA.