1
|
DeRosa M, Lin A, Mallikaratchy P, McConnell E, McKeague M, Patel R, Shigdar S. In vitro selection of aptamers and their applications. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2023; 3:55. [PMID: 37969927 PMCID: PMC10647184 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-023-00247-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of the in-vitro evolution method known as SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment) more than 30 years ago led to the conception of versatile synthetic receptors known as aptamers. Offering many benefits such as low cost, high stability and flexibility, aptamers have sparked innovation in molecular diagnostics, enabled advances in synthetic biology and have facilitated new therapeutic approaches. The SELEX method itself is inherently adaptable and offers near limitless possibilities in yielding functional nucleic acid ligands. This Primer serves to provide guidance on experimental design and highlight new growth areas for this impactful technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M.C. DeRosa
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1T2S2
| | - A. Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 0B8
| | - P. Mallikaratchy
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY 10031, USA
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - E.M. McConnell
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1T2S2
| | - M. McKeague
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 0B8
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - R. Patel
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - S. Shigdar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen W, Liu F, Zhang C, Duan Y, Ma J, Wang Y, Chen G. A review of advances in aptamer-based cell detection technology. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:5425-5438. [PMID: 37101007 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Since cells are the basic structural and functional units of organisms, the detection or quantitation of cells is one of the most common basic problems in life science research. The established cell detection techniques mainly include fluorescent dye labeling, colorimetric assay, and lateral flow assay, all of which employ antibodies as cell recognition elements. However, the widespread application of the established methods generally dependent on antibodies is limited, because the preparation of antibodies is complicated and time-consuming, and unrecoverable denaturation is prone to occur with antibodies. By contrast, aptamers that are generally selected through the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment can avoid the disadvantages of antibodies due to their controllable synthesis, thermostability, and long shelf life, etc. Accordingly, aptamers may serve as novel molecular recognition elements like antibodies in combination with various techniques for cell detection. This paper reviews the developed aptamer-based cell detection methods, mainly including aptamer-fluorescent labeling, aptamer-isothermal amplification assay, electrochemical aptamer sensor, aptamer-based lateral flow analysis, and aptamer-colorimetric assay. The principles, advantages, progress of application in cell detection and future development trend of these methods were specially discussed. Overall, different assays are suitable for different detection purposes, and the development of more accurate, economical, efficient, and rapid aptamer-based cell detection methods is always on the road in the future. This review is expected to provide a reference for achieving efficient and accurate detection of cells as well as improving the usefulness of aptamers in the field of analytical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenrong Chen
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China
| | - Fuguo Liu
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Chunyun Zhang
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China.
| | - Yu Duan
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Jinju Ma
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China
| | - Guofu Chen
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Wenhua West Road, 2#, Weihai, 264209, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Williams N, Patel R, Mallikaratchy P. Discovery of Aptamers Against Cell Surface Markers Using Ligand-Guided Selection. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2570:13-38. [PMID: 36156771 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2695-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide ligands (DNA, RNA, or XNA), also known as aptamers, are selected against various target molecules using an iterative, evolutionary process called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). To select aptamers against complex cell surface proteins in their native state, a variant of SELEX termed ligand-guided selection (LIGS) was recently introduced. The significance of LIGS is rooted in its strategy of exploiting the selection step in SELEX to identify highly specific aptamers against known cell surface markers. Thus, in LIGS, a higher-affinity secondary ligand, such as a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to a whole-cell bound to an evolved SELEX library, is introduced to outcompete sequences against the mAb targeting cell surface protein or induce a conformational switch to destabilize the aptamer-surface cell surface protein resulting in elution of the sequences. Here, we describe the detailed method of LIGS utilized in identifying aptamers against T-cell receptor cluster of differentiation three complex (TCR-CD3) expressed in human T-cells and T-cell leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Williams
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rutika Patel
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Prabodhika Mallikaratchy
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu L, Liu K, Ren G, Liang J, Wu Y. Progress in DNA Aptamers as Recognition Components for Protein Functional Regulation. Chem Res Chin Univ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-022-2124-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
5
|
Maru B, Nadeau L, McKeague M. Enhancing CAR-T Cell Therapy with Functional Nucleic Acids. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1716-1727. [PMID: 34927006 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a relatively new form of immunotherapy that has had success in treating patients with hematologic malignancies, leading to three recent United States Food and Drug Administration approvals. However, several challenges hinder the widespread use of CAR-T therapy. Here, we review the application of functional nucleic acids such as aptamers and ribozymes as novel tools to improve a variety of steps in CAR-T cell therapy development. We critically examine key studies that highlight the benefits of functional nucleic acids at different stages of cell-based therapy and discuss the feasibility of their practical clinical application. Finally, we offer insights into potential opportunities where chemists can significantly contribute to the innovative incorporation of functional nucleic acids to overcome challenges associated with this cutting-edge immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruktawit Maru
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Lea Nadeau
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Maureen McKeague
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ch'ng ACW, Lam P, Alassiri M, Lim TS. Application of phage display for T-cell receptor discovery. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 54:107870. [PMID: 34801662 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The immune system is tasked to keep our body unharmed and healthy. In the immune system, B- and T-lymphocytes are the two main components working together to stop and eliminate invading threats like virus particles, bacteria, fungi and parasite from attacking our healthy cells. The function of antibodies is relatively more direct in target recognition as compared to T-cell receptors (TCR) which recognizes antigenic peptides being presented on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Although phage display has been widely applied for antibody presentation, this is the opposite in the case of TCR. The cell surface TCR is a relatively large and complex molecule, making presentation on phage surfaces challenging. Even so, recombinant versions and modifications have been introduced to allow the growing development of TCR in phage display. In addition, the increasing application of TCR for immunotherapy has made it an important binding motif to be developed by phage display. This review will emphasize on the application of phage display for TCR discovery as well as the engineering aspect of TCR for improved characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Chiew Wen Ch'ng
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Paula Lam
- CellVec Private Limited, 118518, Singapore; National University of Singapore, Department of Physiology, 117597, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Cancer and Stem Cells Biology Program, 169857, Singapore
| | - Mohammed Alassiri
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Theam Soon Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
He Q, Liu Y, Li K, Wu Y, Wang T, Tan Y, Jiang T, Liu X, Liu Z. Deoxyribonucleic acid anchored on cell membranes for biomedical application. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:6691-6717. [PMID: 34494042 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01057c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Engineering cellular membranes with functional molecules provides an attractive strategy to manipulate cellular behaviors and functionalities. Currently, synthetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has emerged as a promising molecular tool to engineer cellular membranes for biomedical applications due to its molecular recognition and programmable properties. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in anchoring DNA on the cellular membranes and their applications. The strategies for anchoring DNA on cell membranes were summarized. Then their applications, such as immune response activation, receptor oligomerization regulation, membrane structure mimicking, cell-surface biosensing, and construction of cell clusters, were listed. The DNA-enabled intelligent systems which were able to sense stimuli such as DNA strands, light, and metal ions were highlighted. Finally, insights regarding the remaining challenges and possible future directions were provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qunye He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Yuwei Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Yifu Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqin Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Zhenbao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China. .,Molecular Imaging Research Center of Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Competitive ELISA for a serologic test to detect dengue serotype-specific anti-NS1 IgGs using high-affinity UB-DNA aptamers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18000. [PMID: 34504185 PMCID: PMC8429655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97339-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Serologic tests to detect specific IgGs to antigens related to viral infections are urgently needed for diagnostics and therapeutics. We present a diagnostic method for serotype-specific IgG identification of dengue infection by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using high-affinity unnatural-base-containing DNA (UB-DNA) aptamers that recognize the four categorized serotypes. Using UB-DNA aptamers specific to each serotype of dengue NS1 proteins (DEN-NS1), we developed our aptamer-antibody sandwich ELISA for dengue diagnostics. Furthermore, IgGs highly specific to DEN-NS1 inhibited the serotype-specific NS1 detection, inspiring us to develop the competitive ELISA format for dengue serotype-specific IgG detection. Blood samples from Singaporean patients with primary or secondary dengue infections confirmed the highly specific IgG detection of this format, and the IgG production initially reflected the serotype of the past infection, rather than the recent infection. Using this dengue competitive ELISA format, cross-reactivity tests of 21 plasma samples from Singaporean Zika virus-infected patients revealed two distinct patterns: 8 lacked cross-reactivity, and 13 were positive with unique dengue serotype specificities, indicating previous dengue infection. This antigen-detection ELISA and antibody-detection competitive ELISA combination using the UB-DNA aptamers identifies both past and current viral infections and will facilitate specific medical care and vaccine development for infectious diseases.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wu L, Wang Y, Xu X, Liu Y, Lin B, Zhang M, Zhang J, Wan S, Yang C, Tan W. Aptamer-Based Detection of Circulating Targets for Precision Medicine. Chem Rev 2021; 121:12035-12105. [PMID: 33667075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 82.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed ongoing progress in precision medicine to improve human health. As an emerging diagnostic technique, liquid biopsy can provide real-time, comprehensive, dynamic physiological and pathological information in a noninvasive manner, opening a new window for precision medicine. Liquid biopsy depends on the sensitive and reliable detection of circulating targets (e.g., cells, extracellular vesicles, proteins, microRNAs) from body fluids, the performance of which is largely governed by recognition ligands. Aptamers are single-stranded functional oligonucleotides, capable of folding into unique tertiary structures to bind to their targets with superior specificity and affinity. Their mature evolution procedure, facile modification, and affinity regulation, as well as versatile structural design and engineering, make aptamers ideal recognition ligands for liquid biopsy. In this review, we present a broad overview of aptamer-based liquid biopsy techniques for precision medicine. We begin with recent advances in aptamer selection, followed by a summary of state-of-the-art strategies for multivalent aptamer assembly and aptamer interface modification. We will further describe aptamer-based micro-/nanoisolation platforms, aptamer-enabled release methods, and aptamer-assisted signal amplification and detection strategies. Finally, we present our perspectives regarding the opportunities and challenges of aptamer-based liquid biopsy for precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yidi Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xing Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yilong Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Bingqian Lin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Mingxia Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jialu Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shuang Wan
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.,The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Freage L, Jamal D, Williams NB, Mallikaratchy PR. A Homodimeric Aptamer Variant Generated from Ligand-Guided Selection Activates the T Cell Receptor Cluster of Differentiation 3 Complex. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 22:167-178. [PMID: 32920262 PMCID: PMC7494611 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recently, immunotherapeutic modalities with engineered cells and monoclonal antibodies have been effective in treating several malignancies. Nucleic acid aptamers can serve as alternative molecules to design immunotherapeutic agents with high functional diversity. Here we report a synthetic prototype consisting of DNA aptamers that can activate the T cell receptor cluster of differentiation 3 (TCR-CD3) complex in cultured T cells. We show that the activation potential is similar to that of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against TCR-CD3, suggesting potential for aptamers in developing efficacious synthetic immunomodulators. The synthetic prototype of anti-TCR-CD3ε, as described here, was designed using aptamer ZUCH-1 against TCR-CD3ε, generated by ligand-guided selection (LIGS). Aptamer ZUCH-1 was truncated and modified with nuclease-resistant RNA analogs to enhance stability. Several dimeric analogs with truncated and modified variants were designed with variable linker lengths to investigate the activation potential of each construct. Among them, a dimeric aptamer with dimensions approximately similar to those of an antibody showed the highest T cell activation, suggesting the importance of optimizing linker lengths in engineering functional aptamers. The observed activation potential of dimeric aptamers shows the vast potential of aptamers in designing synthetically versatile immunomodulators with tunable pharmacokinetic properties, expanding immunotherapeutic designs by using nucleic acid-based ligands such as aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Freage
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Deana Jamal
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Nicole B Williams
- PhD Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Prabodhika R Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; PhD Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; PhD Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Thevendran R, Navien TN, Meng X, Wen K, Lin Q, Sarah S, Tang TH, Citartan M. Mathematical approaches in estimating aptamer-target binding affinity. Anal Biochem 2020; 600:113742. [PMID: 32315616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The performance of aptamers as versatile tools in numerous analytical applications is critically dependent on their high target binding specificity and selectivity. However, only the technical or methodological aspects of measuring aptamer-target binding affinities are focused, ignoring the equally important mathematical components that play pivotal roles in affinity measurements. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive review regarding the utilization of different mathematical models and equations, along with a detailed description of the computational steps involved in mathematically deriving the binding affinity of aptamers against their specific target molecules. Mathematical models ranging from one-site binding to multiple aptameric binding site-based models are explained in detail. Models applied in several different approaches of affinity measurements such as thermodynamics and kinetic analysis, including cooperativity and competitive-assay based mathematical models have been elaborately discussed. Mathematical models incorporating factors that could potentially affect affinity measurements are also further scrutinized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Thevendran
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Tholasi Nadhan Navien
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Xin Meng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Kechun Wen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Qiao Lin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Shigdar Sarah
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Thean-Hock Tang
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yang J, Gong Y, Cai J, Zheng Y, Zhang Z. Chlorpyrifos induces apoptosis and autophagy in common carp lymphocytes by influencing the TCR γ-dependent PI3K/AKT/JNK pathway. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 99:587-593. [PMID: 32112891 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide that is widely used in agricultural production. However, little is known about how chlorpyrifos disrupts lymphocyte homeostasis in common carp. Herein, we identified TCRγ through the results of transcriptome analysis. Subsequently, we established TCR γ knockdown and overexpression models in carp head kidney lymphocyte respectively using RNA interference and the pcDNA3.1 plasmid, respectively. Real-time PCR, fluorescent staining, ultrastructure observation and flow cytometry were used to detect the levels of the PI3K/AKT pathway, autophagy and apoptosis. Our results demonstrated that chlorpyrifos significantly decreased the expression of TCR γ, TCR γ suppression thereby induced increased mRNA expression of TNF-α, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and significantly inhibited the expression of Bcl-2, which indicated that apoptosis was triggered. This conclusion was supported by our flow cytometry and ultrastructure observation results. In addition, the control and TCR γ overexpression groups had normal cell morphology. Moreover, TCR γ suppression activated the expression of Becline-1, ATG5, ATG10, ATG12, ATG16 and reduced the expression of mTOR, with the opposite results observed in the TCR γ overexpression group. Together, these results suggested that TCR γ imbalance triggers apoptosis and autophagy in lymphocyte. Moreover, we found that TCR γ knockdown significantly increased the mRNA expression of JNK and decreased the expression of PI3K and AKT, which indicated that the PI3K/AKT/JNK pathway was activated. Our results reported here indicated that chlorpyrifos induces apoptosis and autophagy in head kidney lymphocyte through the inhibition of TCR γ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Yafan Gong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Jingzeng Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Yingying Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zumrut H, Yang Z, Williams N, Arizala J, Batool S, Benner SA, Mallikaratchy P. Ligand-Guided Selection with Artificially Expanded Genetic Information Systems against TCR-CD3ε. Biochemistry 2020; 59:552-562. [PMID: 31880917 PMCID: PMC7025805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Here we are reporting, for the first time, a ligand-guided selection (LIGS) experiment using an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS) to successfully identify an AEGIS-DNA aptamer against T cell receptor-CD3ε expressed on Jurkat.E6 cells. Thus, we have effectively combined the enhanced diversity of an AEGIS DNA library with LIGS to develop a superior screening platform to discover superior aptamers. Libraries of DNA molecules from highly diversified building blocks will provide better ligands due to more functional diversity and better-controlled folding. Thus, a DNA library with AEGIS components (dZ and dP) was used in LIGS experiments against TCR-CD3ε in its native state using two clinically relevant monoclonal antibodies to identify an aptamer termed JZPO-10, with nanomolar affinity. Multiple specificity assays using knockout cells, and competition experiments using monoclonal antibodies utilized in LIGS, show unprecedented specificity of JZPO-10, suggesting that the combination of LIGS with AEGIS-DNA libraries will provide a superior screening platform to discover artificial ligands against critical cellular targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Zumrut
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry , CUNY Graduate Center , 365 Fifth Avenue , New York , New York 10016 , United States
| | - Zunyi Yang
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC , Alachua , Florida 32615 , United States
| | - Nicole Williams
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology , CUNY Graduate Center , 365 Fifth Avenue , New York , New York 10016 , United States
| | - Joekeem Arizala
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry , CUNY Graduate Center , 365 Fifth Avenue , New York , New York 10016 , United States
| | - Sana Batool
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College , The City University of New York , 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West , Bronx , New York 10468 , United States
| | - Steven A Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution , 13709 Progress Boulevard , Alachua , Florida 32615 , United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC , Alachua , Florida 32615 , United States
| | - Prabodhika Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College , The City University of New York , 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West , Bronx , New York 10468 , United States
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry , CUNY Graduate Center , 365 Fifth Avenue , New York , New York 10016 , United States
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology , CUNY Graduate Center , 365 Fifth Avenue , New York , New York 10016 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zumrut HE, Mallikaratchy PR. Ligand Guided Selection (LIGS) of Artificial Nucleic Acid Ligands against Cell Surface Targets. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 3:2545-2552. [PMID: 34013167 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
With the success of RNA-based therapeutic drugs, the demand has increased for sophisticated nucleic-acid-based targeting agents. Nucleic acid aptamers (NAAs), in this regard, represent a suitable class of molecules with synthetic versatility. Aptamers are composed of single-stranded RNA/DNA/XNA molecules, which can be identified using a method called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) against any molecule. This Spotlight summarizes the recent introduction of ligand guided selection (LIGS), which will permit the identification of a wide range of functional aptamers against complex targets such as cell surface receptors while maintaining their native functional state. Aptamers identified from LIGS will allow researchers to develop aptamers in biomedicine as low-cost, stable therapeutic agents and diagnostic molecules or biochemical devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan E Zumrut
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Prabodhika R Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York, New York 10468, United States.,Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States.,Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bing T, Zhang N, Shangguan D. Cell-SELEX, an Effective Way to the Discovery of Biomarkers and Unexpected Molecular Events. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1900193. [PMID: 32648677 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell-SELEX can not only generate aptamers for specific cell isolation/detection, diagnosis, and therapy, but also lead to the discovery of biomarkers and unexpected molecular events. However, most cell-SELEX research is concentrated on aptamer generation and applications. In this progress report, recent research progress with cell-SELEX in terms of the discovery of biomarkers and unexpected molecular events is highlighted. In particular, the key technical challenges for cell-SELEX-based biomarker discovery, namely, the methods for identification and validation of target proteins of aptamers, are discussed in detail. Finally, the prospects of the applications of cell-SELEX in this field now and in the near future are described. It is expected that this report will attract attention to the benefit of cell-SELEX and provide a practical reference for biomedical researchers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Bing
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dihua Shangguan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Fan J, Wang HH, Xie S, Wang M, Nie Z. Engineering Cell-Surface Receptors with DNA Nanotechnology for Cell Manipulation. Chembiochem 2019; 21:282-293. [PMID: 31364788 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-surface receptors play pivotal roles in the regulation of cell fate. Molecular engineering of cell-surface receptors enables control of cell signaling and manipulation of cell behavior in a user-defined way. Currently, the development of chemical-biological approaches for non-genetic engineering and regulation of membrane receptors is attracting significant interest. Recent research advances in functional nucleic acids and DNA nanotechnology have made it possible to use DNA as a new and promising molecular toolkit for controlling receptor-mediated signaling and cell fates. In this minireview we summarize the advances in the use of DNA nanotechnology for the spatiotemporal regulation of cell receptors and highlight practical applications in manipulating cell functions including cell adhesion, cell-cell contact, cell migration, and cellular immunity. We also provide a perspective on the potential of and challenges facing DNA-based receptor engineering in future applications of cell manipulation and cell-based therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Hong-Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Shiyi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Miao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Zhou Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yan J, Xiong H, Cai S, Wen N, He Q, Liu Y, Peng D, Liu Z. Advances in aptamer screening technologies. Talanta 2019; 200:124-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
18
|
Zumrut HE, Batool S, Argyropoulos KV, Williams N, Azad R, Mallikaratchy PR. Integrating Ligand-Receptor Interactions and In Vitro Evolution for Streamlined Discovery of Artificial Nucleic Acid Ligands. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 17:150-163. [PMID: 31255977 PMCID: PMC6606840 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
To discover DNA ligands against a predetermined receptor protein complex, we introduce a comprehensive version of ligand-guided selection (LIGS). LIGS is, itself, a variant of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Herein, we have optimized LIGS to identify higher affinity aptamers with high specificity. In addition, we demonstrate the expandability of LIGS by performing specific aptamer elution at 25°C, utilizing multiple monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against cultured cells and primary cells obtained from human donors expressing the same receptor. Eluted LIGS libraries obtained through Illumina high-throughput (HT) DNA sequencing were analyzed by bioinformatics tools to discover five DNA aptamers with apparent affinities ranging from 3.06 ± 0.485 nM to 325 ± 62.7 nM against the target, T cell receptor-cluster of differentiation epsilon (TCR-CD3ε) expressed on human T cells. The specificity of the aptamers was validated utilizing multiple strategies, including competitive binding analysis and a double-knockout Jurkat cell line generated by CRISPR technology. The cross-competition experiments using labeled and unlabeled aptamers revealed that all five aptamers compete for the same binding site. Collectively, the data in this report introduce a modified LIGS strategy as a universal platform to identify highly specific multiple aptamers toward multi-component receptor proteins in their native state without changing the cell-surface landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan E Zumrut
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; PhD Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sana Batool
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Kimon V Argyropoulos
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 E. 69th St., New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Nicole Williams
- PhD Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Roksana Azad
- PhD Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Prabodhika R Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; PhD Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; PhD Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang Y, Lai BS, Juhas M. Recent Advances in Aptamer Discovery and Applications. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24050941. [PMID: 30866536 PMCID: PMC6429292 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24050941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA, RNA, or synthetic XNA molecules that can be developed with high affinity and specificity to interact with any desired targets. They have been widely used in facilitating discoveries in basic research, ensuring food safety and monitoring the environment. Furthermore, aptamers play promising roles as clinical diagnostics and therapeutic agents. This review provides update on the recent advances in this rapidly progressing field of research with particular emphasis on generation of aptamers and their applications in biosensing, biotechnology and medicine. The limitations and future directions of aptamers in target specific delivery and real-time detection are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Bo Shiun Lai
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Mario Juhas
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 28/30, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Batool S, Argyropoulos KV, Azad R, Okeoma P, Zumrut H, Bhandari S, Dekhang R, Mallikaratchy PR. Dimerization of an aptamer generated from Ligand-guided selection (LIGS) yields a high affinity scaffold against B-cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1863:232-240. [PMID: 30342154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic Acid Aptamers (NAAs) are a class of synthetic DNA or RNA molecules that bind specifically to their target. We recently introduced an aptamer termed R1.2 against membrane Immunoglobulin M (mIgM) expressing B-cell neoplasms using Ligand Guided Selection (LIGS). While LIGS-generated aptamers are highly specific, their lower affinity prevents aptamers from being used for translational applications. Highly specific aptamers with higher affinity can increase targetability, boosting the application of aptamers as diagnostic and therapeutic molecules. Herein, we report that dimerization of R1.2, an aptamer generated from LIGS, leads to high affinity variants without compromising the specificity. Three dimeric aptamer analogues with variable linker lengths were designed to evaluate the effect of linker length in affinity. The optimized dimeric R1.2 against cultured B-cell neoplasms, four donor B-cell samples and mIgM-positive Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM) showed specificity. Furthermore, confocal imaging of dimeric aptamer and anti-IgM antibody in purified B-cells suggests co-localization. Binding assays against IgM knockout Burkitt's Lymphoma cells utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 further validated specificity of dimeric R1.2. Collectively, our findings show that LIGS-generated aptamers can be re-engineered into dimeric aptamers with high specificity and affinity, demonstrating wide-range of applicability of LIGS in developing clinically practical diagnostic and therapeutic aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sana Batool
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, NY 10468, USA
| | - Kimon V Argyropoulos
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 E69th street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Roksana Azad
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Precious Okeoma
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, NY 10468, USA
| | - Hasan Zumrut
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sanam Bhandari
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, NY 10468, USA
| | - Rigzin Dekhang
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, NY 10468, USA
| | - Prabodhika R Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, NY 10468, USA; Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kaur H. Recent developments in cell-SELEX technology for aptamer selection. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2323-2329. [PMID: 30059712 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SELEX technique is employed to select aptamers against wide range of targets. The in vitro method of aptamer selection using live cells as the target is referred as cell-SELEX. SCOPE OF THE REVIEW The review provides a comprehensive description on the development of aptamers through various cell-SELEX methods and list of aptamers identified through this method. In addition, it pinpoints the advantages and limitations of the cell-SELEX process and its variants. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The use of aptamers as therapeutic and diagnostic agents is rapidly evolving, selection techniques such as Cell-SELEX could be beneficial in identifying aptamers when the target is in its native conformation and without prior information of the cognate target, thereby bringing the aptamer development one step closer to the clinic. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The information in this review can serve as a database for the design and development of futuristic oligonucleotide based diagnostics and therapeutics work.
Collapse
|
22
|
Batool S, Bhandari S, George S, Okeoma P, Van N, Zümrüt HE, Mallikaratchy P. Engineered Aptamers to Probe Molecular Interactions on the Cell Surface. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030054. [PMID: 28850067 PMCID: PMC5618312 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in understanding the nature of molecular interactions on the cell membrane. To decipher such interactions, molecular scaffolds can be engineered as a tool to modulate these events as they occur on the cell membrane. To guarantee reliability, scaffolds that function as modulators of cell membrane events must be coupled to a targeting moiety with superior chemical versatility. In this regard, nucleic acid aptamers are a suitable class of targeting moieties. Aptamers are inherently chemical in nature, allowing extensive site-specific chemical modification to engineer sensing molecules. Aptamers can be easily selected using a simple laboratory-based in vitro evolution method enabling the design and development of aptamer-based functional molecular scaffolds against wide range of cell surface molecules. This article reviews the application of aptamers as monitors and modulators of molecular interactions on the mammalian cell surface with the aim of increasing our understanding of cell-surface receptor response to external stimuli. The information gained from these types of studies could eventually prove useful in engineering improved medical diagnostics and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sana Batool
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468, USA.
| | - Sanam Bhandari
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468, USA.
| | - Shanell George
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468, USA.
| | - Precious Okeoma
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468, USA.
| | - Nabeela Van
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468, USA.
| | - Hazan E Zümrüt
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Prabodhika Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468, USA.
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tawiah KD, Porciani D, Burke DH. Toward the Selection of Cell Targeting Aptamers with Extended Biological Functionalities to Facilitate Endosomal Escape of Cargoes. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030051. [PMID: 28837119 PMCID: PMC5618309 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 08/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades there have been exciting and rapid developments of highly specific molecules to bind cancer antigens that are overexpressed on the surfaces of malignant cells. Nanomedicine aims to exploit these ligands to generate nanoscale platforms for targeted cancer therapy, and to do so with negligible off-target effects. Aptamers are structured nucleic acids that bind to defined molecular targets ranging from small molecules and proteins to whole cells or viruses. They are selected through an iterative process of amplification and enrichment called SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), in which a combinatorial oligonucleotide library is exposed to the target of interest for several repetitive rounds. Nucleic acid ligands able to bind and internalize into malignant cells have been extensively used as tools for targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads both in vitro and in vivo. However, current cell targeting aptamer platforms suffer from limitations that have slowed their translation to the clinic. This is especially true for applications in which the cargo must reach the cytosol to exert its biological activity, as only a small percentage of the endocytosed cargo is typically able to translocate into the cytosol. Innovative technologies and selection strategies are required to enhance cytoplasmic delivery. In this review, we describe current selection methods used to generate aptamers that target cancer cells, and we highlight some of the factors that affect productive endosomal escape of cargoes. We also give an overview of the most promising strategies utilized to improve and monitor endosomal escape of therapeutic cargoes. The methods we highlight exploit tools and technologies that can potentially be incorporated in the SELEX process. Innovative selection protocols may identify aptamers with extended biological functionalities that allow effective cytosolic translocation of therapeutics. This in turn may facilitate successful translation of these platforms into clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku D Tawiah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - David Porciani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
| | - Donald H Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Catuogno S, Esposito CL. Aptamer Cell-Based Selection: Overview and Advances. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030049. [PMID: 28805744 PMCID: PMC5618307 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are high affinity single-stranded DNA/RNA molecules, produced by a combinatorial procedure named SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment), that are emerging as promising diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Among selection strategies, procedures using living cells as complex targets (referred as "cell-SELEX") have been developed as an effective mean to generate aptamers for heavily modified cell surface proteins, assuring the binding of the target in its native conformation. Here we give an up-to-date overview on cell-SELEX technology, discussing the most recent advances with a particular focus on cancer cell targeting. Examples of the different protocol applications and post-SELEX strategies will be briefly outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Catuogno
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, Naples 80100, Italy.
| | - Carla Lucia Esposito
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, Naples 80100, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acids referred to as chemical antibodies as they bind to their specific targets with high affinity and selectivity. They are selected via an iterative process known as ‘selective evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment’ (SELEX). Aptamers have been developed against numerous cancer targets and among them, many tumor cell-membrane protein biomarkers. The identification of aptamers targeting cell-surface proteins has mainly been performed by two different strategies: protein- and cell-based SELEX, when the targets used for selection were proteins and cells, respectively. This review aims to update the literature on aptamers targeting tumor cell surface protein biomarkers, highlighting potentials, pitfalls of protein- and cell-based selection processes and applications of such selected molecules. Aptamers as promising agents for diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in oncology are documented, as well as aptamers in clinical development.
Collapse
|
26
|
Zümrüt HE, Batool S, Van N, George S, Bhandari S, Mallikaratchy P. Structural optimization of an aptamer generated from Ligand-Guided Selection (LIGS) resulted in high affinity variant toward mIgM expressed on Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1825-1832. [PMID: 28363693 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are synthetic, short nucleic acid molecules capable of specific target recognition. Aptamers are selected using a screening method termed Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX). We recently have introduced a variant of SELEX called "Ligand-Guided-Selection" (LIGS) that allows the identification of specific aptamers against known cell-surface proteins. Utilizing LIGS, we introduced three specific aptamers against membrane-bound IgM (mIgM), which is the hallmark of B cells. Out of the three aptamers selected against mIgM, an aptamer termed R1, in particular, was found to be interesting due to its ability to recognize mIgM on target cells and then block anti-IgM antibodies binding their antigen. We systematically truncated parent aptamer R1 to design shorter variants with enhanced affinity. Importantly, herein we show that the specificity of the most optimized variant of R1 aptamer is similar to that of anti-IgM antibody, indicating that the specificity of the ligand utilized in selective elution of the aptamer determines the specificity of the LIGS-generated aptamer. Furthermore, we report that truncated variants of R1 are able to recognize mIgM-positive human B lymphoma BJAB cells at physiological temperature, demonstrating that LIGS-generated aptamers could be re-optimized into higher affinity variants. Collectively, these findings show the significance of LIGS in generating highly specific aptamers with potential applications in biomedicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan E Zümrüt
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sana Batool
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Nabeela Van
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Shanell George
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Sanam Bhandari
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Prabodhika Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Maio G, Enweronye O, Zumrut HE, Batool S, Van N, Mallikaratchy P. Systematic optimization and modification of a DNA aptamer with 2'-O-methyl RNA analogues. ChemistrySelect 2017; 2:2335-2340. [PMID: 29226219 DOI: 10.1002/slct.201700359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers (NAAs) are short synthetic DNA or RNA molecules that specifically fold into distinct three-dimensional structures able to specifically recognize a target. While NAAs show unprecedented promise in a variety of applications, including sensing, therapeutics and diagnostics, one major limitation involves the lack of stability towards omnipresent nucleases. Therefore, we herein report a systematic truncation and incorporation of 2'-O-methyl bases to a DNA aptamer, which results in increased stability without affecting affinity. One of the newly designed analogues is stable up to 24 hours, demonstrating that 2'-O-methyl RNA is an attractive modification to DNA aptamers, especially when therapeutic applications are intended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Maio
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College for The City University of New York, 250 Beford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468
| | - Osita Enweronye
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College for The City University of New York, 250 Beford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468
| | - Hasan E Zumrut
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sana Batool
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College for The City University of New York, 250 Beford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468
| | - Nabeela Van
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College for The City University of New York, 250 Beford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468
| | - Prabodhika Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College for The City University of New York, 250 Beford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York, NY 10468.,Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.,Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Evolution of Complex Target SELEX to Identify Aptamers against Mammalian Cell-Surface Antigens. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22020215. [PMID: 28146093 PMCID: PMC5572134 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The demand has increased for sophisticated molecular tools with improved detection limits. Such molecules should be simple in structure, yet stable enough for clinical applications. Nucleic acid aptamers (NAAs) represent a class of molecules able to meet this demand. In particular, aptamers, a class of small nucleic acid ligands that are composed of single-stranded modified/unmodified RNA/DNA molecules, can be evolved from a complex library using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) against almost any molecule. Since its introduction in 1990, in stages, SELEX technology has itself undergone several modifications, improving selection and broadening the repertoire of targets. This review summarizes these milestones that have pushed the field forward, allowing researchers to generate aptamers that can potentially be applied as therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
Collapse
|