The present invention, at least in part, relates to the discovery of efficacious delivery of an RNAi agent (in preferred aspects of the invention, an siRNA) to a transplantable tissue. Organ rejection,
transplantation-mediated transmission of
viral infection, and triggering of
apoptosis in transplanted tissues can each be minimized by the methods and compositions of the instant invention. The RNAi agent(s) of the instant invention can be delivered as “naked” molecules, or using liposomal and other
modes of delivery, to transplantable tissues. Such delivery can occur via
perfusion of the RNAi agent in solution through the vasculature of a whole or partial organ; or tissues including transplantable cells and
cell lines may be bathed, injected or otherwise treated with RNAi agents. Preferred transplantable tissues include, for example,
pancreas, liver,
kidney, heart,
lung, and all cells and
cell lines derived from such tissues (e.g., pancreatic
islet cells that may, e.g., be transplanted as a treated
population).