1
|
Dong Y, Guo C, Wang J, Ye C, Min Q. Recent Advances in DNA Nanotechnology-Based Sensing Platforms for Rapid Virus Detection. Chembiochem 2024:e202400230. [PMID: 38825565 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Several major viral pandemics in history have significantly impacted the public health of human beings. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the critical need for early detection and screening of infected individuals. However, current detection techniques are confronted with deficiencies in sensitivity and accuracy, restricting the capability of detecting trace amounts of viruses in human bodies and in the environments. The advent of DNA nanotechnology has opened up a feasible solution for rapid and sensitive virus determination. By harnessing the designability and addressability of DNA nanostructures, a range of rapid virus sensing platforms have been proposed. This review overviewed the recent progress, application, and prospect of DNA nanotechnology-based rapid virus detection platforms. Furthermore, the challenges and developmental prospects in this field were discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Dong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, P. R. China
| | - Jialing Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, P. R. China
| | - Changqing Ye
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, P. R. China
| | - Qianhao Min
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Saidi D, Obeidat M, Alsotari S, Ibrahim AA, Al-Buqain R, Wehaibi S, Alqudah DA, Nsairat H, Alshaer W, Alkilany AM. Formulation optimization of lyophilized aptamer-gold nanoparticles: Maintained colloidal stability and cellular uptake. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30743. [PMID: 38774322 PMCID: PMC11107208 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-nucleolin (NCL) aptamer AS1411 is the first anticancer aptamer tested in clinical trials. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have been widely exploited for various biomedical applications due to their unique functional properties. In this study, we evaluated the colloidal stability and targeting capacity of AS1411-funtionalized AuNP (AuNP/NCL-Apt) against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line before and after lyophilization. Trehalose, mannitol, and sucrose at various concentrations were evaluated to determine their cryoprotection effects. Our results indicate that sucrose at 10 % (w/v) exhibits the best cryoprotection effect and minimal AuNP/NCL-Apt aggregation as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Moreover, the lyophilized AuNP/NCL-Apt at optimized formulation maintained its targeting and cytotoxic functionality against MCF-7 cells as proven by the cellular uptake assays utilizing flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of nucleolin-target gene expression also confirmed the effectiveness of AuNP/NCL-Apt. This study highlights the importance of selecting the proper type and concentration of cryoprotectant in the typical nanoparticle lyophilization process and contributes to our understanding of the physical and biological properties of functionalized nanoparticles upon lyophilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalya Saidi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Marya Obeidat
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Shrouq Alsotari
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Abed-Alqader Ibrahim
- Department of Nanoscience, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2907 E. Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC, 27401, USA
| | - Rula Al-Buqain
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Suha Wehaibi
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Dana A. Alqudah
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Hamdi Nsairat
- Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, 19328, Jordan
| | - Walhan Alshaer
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Berzal-Herranz A, Romero-López C. Aptamers' Potential to Fill Therapeutic and Diagnostic Gaps. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:105. [PMID: 38256938 PMCID: PMC10818422 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 30 years ago, in 1990, three independent research groups published several papers demonstrating that genetics could be performed in vitro in the absence of living organisms or cells [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Berzal-Herranz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. PTS Granada, Av. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Romero-López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. PTS Granada, Av. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bertrand P. Aptamers Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 Axis: A Perspective. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10878-10888. [PMID: 37561598 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers have emerged in recent years as alternatives to antibodies or small molecules to interfere with the immune check points by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 interactions and represent an interesting perspective for immuno-oncology. Aptamers are RNA or DNA nucleotides able to bind to a target with high affinity, with the target ranging from small molecules to proteins and up to cells. Aptamers are identified by the SELEX method that can be modified for specific purposes. The range of applications of aptamers covers therapy as well as new alternative assay technologies similar to ELISA. Aptamers' limited plasma stability can be managed using delivery strategies. The goal of this Perspective is to give an overview of the current development of aptamers targeting the most studied immune checkpoint modulators, PD-1 and PD-L1, and analogous strategies with aptamers for other immuno-related targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Bertrand
- University of Poitiers, IC2MP UMR 7285 CNRS, 4 rue Michel Brunet B27, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang GR, Tan W, Wang XQ. Chemical Tailoring of Aptamer Glues with Significantly Enhanced Recognition Ability for Targeted Membrane Protein Degradation. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15146-15154. [PMID: 37494291 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Cell membrane proteins play a crucial role in the development of early cancer diagnosis strategies and precision medicine techniques. However, the application of aptamers in cell membrane protein-based biomedical research is limited by their inherent drawbacks, such as sensitivity to the recognition environment and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation, which leads to the loss of recognition ability. To address these challenges, this study presents a subzero-temperature-enabled molecule stacking strategy for the on-demand tailoring of aptamer glues for the precision recognition and efficient degradation of membrane protein. Mechanistic studies revealed that nucleic acid molecule stacking occurred during the freezing and melting processes, facilitating a rapid click reaction by bringing two reactive groups together. In vitro investigations demonstrated that the strategy confers aptamer glues with significantly enhanced specific recognition ability and binding affinity, allowing the distinction of a targeted cell line from a nontargeted cell line. Moreover, the engineered aptamer glue exhibited impressive targeted cell membrane protein degradation ability; around 74% of the c-Met protein was degraded in 24 h. These findings hold great potential for advancing cancer diagnosis and targeted therapy through the development of more stable and reliable aptamer probes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Rong Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xue-Qiang Wang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moreira D, Lopes-Nunes J, Santos FM, Campello MPC, Oliveira MC, Paulo A, Tomaz C, Cruz C. Assessment of Aptamer as a Potential Drug Targeted Delivery for Retinal Angiogenesis Inhibition. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050751. [PMID: 37242534 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
AT11-L0 is an aptamer derivative of AS1411 composed of G-rich sequences that can adopt a G-quadruplex (G4) structure and target nucleolin (NCL), a protein that acts as a co-receptor for several growth factors. Hence, this study aimed to characterize the AT11-L0 G4 structure and its interaction with several ligands for NCL targeting and to evaluate their capacity to inhibit angiogenesis using an in vitro model. The AT11-L0 aptamer was then used to functionalize drug-associated liposomes to increase the bioavailability of the aptamer-based drug in the formulation. Biophysical studies, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and fluorescence titrations, were performed to characterize the liposomes functionalized with the AT11-L0 aptamer. Finally, these liposome formulations with the encapsulated drugs were tested on the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model to assess their antiangiogenic capacity. The results showed that the AT11-L0 aptamer-ligand complexes are highly stable, presenting melting temperatures from 45 °C to 60 °C, allowing for efficient targeting of NCL with a KD in the order of nM. The aptamer-functionalized liposomes loaded with ligands C8 and dexamethasone did not show cytotoxic effects in HUVEC cells compared with the free ligands and AT11-L0, as assessed by cell viability assays. AT11-L0 aptamer-functionalized liposomes encapsulating C8 and dexamethasone did not present a significant reduction in the angiogenic process when compared with the free ligands. In addition, AT11-L0 did not show anti-angiogenic effects at the concentrations tested. However, C8 shows potential as an angiogenesis inhibitor, which should be further developed and optimized in future experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Moreira
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Lopes-Nunes
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Fátima Milhano Santos
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Paula Cabral Campello
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Oliveira
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
| | - António Paulo
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
| | - Cândida Tomaz
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Departamento de Química, Universityof Beira Interior, Rua Marquês de Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Departamento de Química, Universityof Beira Interior, Rua Marquês de Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Biao L, Liu J, Hu X, Xiang W, Hou W, Li C, Wang J, Yao K, Tang J, Long Z, Long W, Liu J. Recent advances in aptamer-based therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer stem cells. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100605. [PMID: 36969696 PMCID: PMC10034522 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be the main cause of chemotherapy resistance and tumor relapse. Various therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs have been developed recently. Aptamers, also called "chemical antibodies", can specifically bind with their molecular targets through special tertiary structures. The advantages of aptamers, such as lower immunogenicity and smaller size, make them superior to conventional antibodies. Therefore, aptamers have been used widely as targeting ligands for CSC-targeted therapeutic strategies in different tumor types. To date, various therapeutic cargoes have been conjugated to aptamers to kill CSCs, such as chemotherapy drugs, small interfering RNAs, and microRNAs. Aptamer-based targeted therapies for CSCs have made great progress in recent years, especially the development of multifunctional aptamer-based therapeutic strategies. Besides, cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment has been applied to screen new aptamers that might have a higher binding ability for CSCs. In this review, we focus on recent advances and introduce some new modalities of aptamer-drug conjugates against CSCs. Some considerations of the advantages and limitations of different aptamer-based targeted therapies for CSCs are also discussed.
Collapse
|
8
|
Woldekidan HB, Woldesemayat AA, Adam G, Tafesse M, Thimiri Govinda Raj DB. Aptamer-Based Tumor-Targeted Diagnosis and Drug Delivery. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1409:173-192. [PMID: 35896892 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2022_732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Early cancer identification is crucial for providing patients with safe and timely therapy. Highly dependable and adaptive technologies will be required to detect the presence of biological markers for cancer at very low levels in the early stages of tumor formation. These techniques have been shown to be beneficial in encouraging patients to develop early intervention plans, which could lead to an increase in the overall survival rate of cancer patients. Targeted drug delivery (TDD) using aptamer is promising due to its favorable properties. Aptamer is suitable for superior TDD system candidates due to its desirable properties including a high binding affinity and specificity, a low immunogenicity, and a chemical composition that can be simply changed.Due to these properties, aptamer-based TDD application has limited drug side effect along with organ damages. The development of aptasensor has been promising in TDD for cancer cell treatment. There are biomarkers and expressed molecules during cancer cell development; however, only few are addressed in aptamer detection study of those molecules. Its great potential of attachment of binding to specific target molecule made aptamer a reliable recognition element. Because of their unique physical, chemical, and biological features, aptamers have a lot of potential in cancer precision medicine.In this review, we summarized aptamer technology and its application in cancer. This includes advantages properties of aptamer technology over other molecules were thoroughly discussed. In addition, we have also elaborated the application of aptamer as a direct therapeutic function and as a targeted drug delivery molecule (aptasensor) in cancer cells with several examples in preclinical and clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haregewoin Bezu Woldekidan
- Synthetic Nanobiotechnology and Biomachines, Synthetic Biology and Precision Medicine Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adugna A Woldesemayat
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Adam
- Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Tafesse
- Synthetic Nanobiotechnology and Biomachines, Synthetic Biology and Precision Medicine Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
- Biotechnology and Bioprocessing Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Deepak B Thimiri Govinda Raj
- Synthetic Nanobiotechnology and Biomachines, Synthetic Biology and Precision Medicine Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Riccardi C, D’Aria F, Fasano D, Digilio FA, Carillo MR, Amato J, De Rosa L, Paladino S, Melone MAB, Montesarchio D, Giancola C. Truncated Analogues of a G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamer Targeting Mutant Huntingtin: Shorter Is Better! Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012412. [PMID: 36293267 PMCID: PMC9604342 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Two analogues of the MS3 aptamer, which was previously shown to have an exquisite capability to selectively bind and modulate the activity of mutant huntingtin (mHTT), have been here designed and evaluated in their physicochemical and biological properties. Featured by a distinctive propensity to form complex G-quadruplex structures, including large multimeric aggregates, the original 36-mer MS3 has been truncated to give a 33-mer (here named MS3-33) and a 17-mer (here named MS3-17). A combined use of different techniques (UV, CD, DSC, gel electrophoresis) allowed a detailed physicochemical characterization of these novel G-quadruplex-forming aptamers, tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y cells and in vivo on a Drosophila Huntington’s disease model, in which these shorter MS3-derived oligonucleotides proved to have improved bioactivity in comparison with the parent aptamer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Dominga Fasano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Anna Digilio
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Carillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura De Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6078, USA
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cai R, Chen X, Zhang Y, Wang X, Zhou N. Systematic bio-fabrication of aptamers and their applications in engineering biology. SYSTEMS MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOMANUFACTURING 2022; 3:223-245. [PMID: 38013802 PMCID: PMC9550155 DOI: 10.1007/s43393-022-00140-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that have high affinity and selectivity to bind to specific targets. Compared to antibodies, aptamers are easy to in vitro synthesize with low cost, and exhibit excellent thermal stability and programmability. With these features, aptamers have been widely used in biology and medicine-related fields. In the meantime, a variety of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technologies have been developed to screen aptamers for various targets. According to the characteristics of targets, customizing appropriate SELEX technology and post-SELEX optimization helps to obtain ideal aptamers with high affinity and specificity. In this review, we first summarize the latest research on the systematic bio-fabrication of aptamers, including various SELEX technologies, post-SELEX optimization, and aptamer modification technology. These procedures not only help to gain the aptamer sequences but also provide insights into the relationship between structure and function of the aptamers. The latter provides a new perspective for the systems bio-fabrication of aptamers. Furthermore, on this basis, we review the applications of aptamers, particularly in the fields of engineering biology, including industrial biotechnology, medical and health engineering, and environmental and food safety monitoring. And the encountered challenges and prospects are discussed, providing an outlook for the future development of aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongfeng Cai
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Xin Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| | - Nandi Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122 China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
An Aptamer Affinity Column for Extraction of Four Aminoglycoside Antibiotics from Milk. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9100267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This article introduces the aptamer affinity column (AAC) with nucleic acid aptamer as an affinity ligand for the extraction of four aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs). The AAC was prepared by loading the aptamer functionalized Sepharose into an extraction column, which was conjugated by covalent binding between NHS-activated Sepharose and amino-modified aptamers with a coupling time of 2 h. After the sample solution flowed through the AAC, the AGs were retained because of the affinity between the AGs and aptamer, then AGs were eluted and analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. Under the optimized conditions, the maximum adsorption of AGs on the AAC could reach 8.0 μg. Moreover, the proposed AAC could be reused more than 20 times. The resultant AAC that conjugated with the aptamer was successfully applied in the enrichment and purification of four AGs in a milk sample and good recovery results in the range of 83.3–98.8% were obtained (with RSD in the range of 0.6–5.8%). The proposed AAC for recognition of multi-target AGs exhibited good enrichment and purification effects, showing great application potential for targets with their related aptamers.
Collapse
|
12
|
Riccardi C, D’Aria F, Digilio FA, Carillo MR, Amato J, Fasano D, De Rosa L, Paladino S, Melone MAB, Montesarchio D, Giancola C. Fighting the Huntington's Disease with a G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamer Specifically Binding to Mutant Huntingtin Protein: Biophysical Characterization, In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4804. [PMID: 35563194 PMCID: PMC9101412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A set of guanine-rich aptamers able to preferentially recognize full-length huntingtin with an expanded polyglutamine tract has been recently identified, showing high efficacy in modulating the functions of the mutated protein in a variety of cell experiments. We here report a detailed biophysical characterization of the best aptamer in the series, named MS3, proved to adopt a stable, parallel G-quadruplex structure and show high nuclease resistance in serum. Confocal microscopy experiments on HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells, as models of non-neuronal and neuronal cells, respectively, showed a rapid, dose-dependent uptake of fluorescein-labelled MS3, demonstrating its effective internalization, even in the absence of transfecting agents, with no general cytotoxicity. Then, using a well-established Drosophila melanogaster model for Huntington's disease, which expresses the mutated form of human huntingtin, a significant improvement in the motor neuronal function in flies fed with MS3 was observed, proving the in vivo efficacy of this aptamer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| | - Filomena Anna Digilio
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.D.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Carillo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.D.); (M.R.C.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| | - Dominga Fasano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
- Center for Rare Diseases and Inter University Center for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Laura De Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Center for Rare Diseases and Inter University Center for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
- Center for Biotechnology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Aralov AV, Gubina N, Cabrero C, Tsvetkov VB, Turaev AV, Fedeles BI, Croy RG, Isaakova EA, Melnik D, Dukova S, Ryazantsev DY, Khrulev AA, Varizhuk AM, González C, Zatsepin TS, Essigmann JM. 7,8-Dihydro-8-oxo-1,N6-ethenoadenine: an exclusively Hoogsteen-paired thymine mimic in DNA that induces A→T transversions in Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3056-3069. [PMID: 35234900 PMCID: PMC8989528 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This work investigated the structural and biological properties of DNA containing 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-1,N6-ethenoadenine (oxo-ϵA), a non-natural synthetic base that combines structural features of two naturally occurring DNA lesions (7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine and 1,N6-ethenoadenine). UV-, CD-, NMR spectroscopies and molecular modeling of DNA duplexes revealed that oxo-ϵA adopts the non-canonical syn conformation (χ = 65º) and fits very well among surrounding residues without inducing major distortions in local helical architecture. The adduct remarkably mimics the natural base thymine. When considered as an adenine-derived DNA lesion, oxo-ϵA was >99% mutagenic in living cells, causing predominantly A→T transversion mutations in Escherichia coli. The adduct in a single-stranded vector was not repaired by base excision repair enzymes (MutM and MutY glycosylases) or the AlkB dioxygenase and did not detectably affect the efficacy of DNA replication in vivo. When the biological and structural data are viewed together, it is likely that the nearly exclusive syn conformation and thymine mimicry of oxo-ϵA defines the selectivity of base pairing in vitro and in vivo, resulting in lesion pairing with A during replication. The base pairing properties of oxo-ϵA, its strong fluorescence and its invisibility to enzymatic repair systems in vivo are features that are sought in novel DNA-based probes and modulators of gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V Aralov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Nina Gubina
- Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics RAS, Pushchino 142290, Russia
| | - Cristina Cabrero
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC), Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Vladimir B Tsvetkov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow 119435, Russia.,World-Class Research Center "Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119146, Russia
| | - Anton V Turaev
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Bogdan I Fedeles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Robert G Croy
- Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ekaterina A Isaakova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Denis Melnik
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia
| | - Svetlana Dukova
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Y Ryazantsev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexei A Khrulev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Anna M Varizhuk
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow 119435, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia
| | - Carlos González
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC), Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Timofei S Zatsepin
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia.,Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - John M Essigmann
- Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Aptamers-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Solution in SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031412. [PMID: 35163338 PMCID: PMC8836149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently the most serious challenge to global public health. Its emergence has severely disrupted the functioning of health services and the economic and social situation worldwide. Therefore, new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are urgently needed to allow for the early detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and appropriate treatment, which is crucial for the effective control of the COVID-19 disease. The ideal solution seems to be the use of aptamers—short fragments of nucleic acids, DNA or RNA—that can bind selected proteins with high specificity and affinity. They can be used in methods that base the reading of the test result on fluorescence phenomena, chemiluminescence, and electrochemical changes. Exploiting the properties of aptamers will enable the introduction of rapid, sensitive, specific, and low-cost tests for the routine diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Aptamers are excellent candidates for the development of point-of-care diagnostic devices and are potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of COVID-19. They can effectively block coronavirus activity in multiple fields by binding viral proteins and acting as carriers of therapeutic substances. In this review, we present recent developments in the design of various types of aptasensors to detect and treat the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
|
15
|
Aptamer grafted nanoparticle as targeted therapeutic tool for the treatment of breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112530. [PMID: 34915416 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast carcinomas repeat their number and grow exponentially making it extremely frequent malignancy among women. Approximately, 70-80% of early diagnosed or non-metastatic conditions are treatable while the metastatic cases are considered ineffective to treat with current ample amount of therapy. Target based anti-cancer treatment has been in the limelight for decades and is perceived significant consideration of scientists. Aptamers are the 'coming of age' therapeutic approach, selected using an appropriate tool from the library of sequences. Aptamers are non-immunogenic, stable, and high-affinity ligand which are poised to reach the clinical benchmark. With the heed in nanoparticle application, the delivery of aptamer to the specific site could be enhanced which also protects them from nuclease degradation. Moreover, nanoparticles due to robust structure, high drug entrapment, and modifiable release of cargo could serve as a successful candidate in the treatment of breast carcinoma. This review would showcase the method and modified method of selection of aptamers, aptamers that were able to make its way towards clinical trial and their targetability and selectivity towards breast cancers. The appropriate usage of aptamer-based biosensor in breast cancer diagnosis have also been discussed.
Collapse
|
16
|
Nakhjavani M, Shigdar S. Future of PD-1/PD-L1 axis modulation for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:106019. [PMID: 34861397 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis among the subtypes of breast cancer, with no targeted therapy available. Immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) has resulted in some promising outcomes in cancer patients. The common treatments are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Despite novel methodologies in developing mAbs, there are several drawbacks with these medications. Immunological reactions, expensive and time-consuming production and requiring refrigeration are some of the challenging characteristics of mAbs that are addressed with using aptamers. Aptamers are nucleotide-based structures with high selectivity and specificity for target. Their small size helps aptamers penetrate the tissue better. In this review, we have discussed the nature of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and summarised the available mAbs and aptamers specific for these two targets. This review highlights the role of aptamers as a future pathway for PD-1/PD-L1 modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nakhjavani
- 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.
| | - Sarah 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
|
17
|
Riccardi C, Napolitano F, Montesarchio D, Sampaolo S, Melone MAB. Nanoparticle-Guided Brain Drug Delivery: Expanding the Therapeutic Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1897. [PMID: 34834311 PMCID: PMC8623286 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a heterogeneous group of aging-related disorders featured by progressive impairment of motor and/or cognitive functions, often accompanied by psychiatric disorders. NDs are denoted as 'protein misfolding' diseases or proteinopathies, and are classified according to their known genetic mechanisms and/or the main protein involved in disease onset and progression. Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are included under this nosographic umbrella, sharing histopathologically salient features, including deposition of insoluble proteins, activation of glial cells, loss of neuronal cells and synaptic connectivity. To date, there are no effective cures or disease-modifying therapies for these NDs. Several compounds have not shown efficacy in clinical trials, since they generally fail to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a tightly packed layer of endothelial cells that greatly limits the brain internalization of endogenous substances. By engineering materials of a size usually within 1-100 nm, nanotechnology offers an alternative approach for promising and innovative therapeutic solutions in NDs. Nanoparticles can cross the BBB and release active molecules at target sites in the brain, minimizing side effects. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of nanoengineered delivery systems for brain targeting in the treatment of AD, PD and HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Filomena Napolitano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Simone Sampaolo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6078, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Xiao X, Li H, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Liu Z. Oligonucleotide aptamers: Recent advances in their screening, molecular conformation and therapeutic applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112232. [PMID: 34649356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single stranded oligonucleotides with specific recognition and binding ability to target molecules, which can be obtained by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers have the advantages of low molecular weight, low immunogenicity, easy modification and high stability. They play promising role in promoting food safety, monitoring the environment and basic research, especially in clinical diagnosis and therapeutic drugs. To date, great achievements regarding the selection, modifications and application of aptamers have been made. However, since it is still a challenge to obtain aptamers with high affinity in a more effective way, few aptamer-based products have already successfully entered into clinical use. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the latest advances in this rapidly developing field, focusing on aptamer screening methods for different targets, the structure of the interaction between aptamers and target substances, and the challenges and potential of current therapeutic aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueran Xiao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Urology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lijian Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yanfen Zhang
- Technology Transfer Center, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
| | - Zhongcheng Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Pérez de Carvasal K, Riccardi C, Russo Krauss I, Cavasso D, Vasseur JJ, Smietana M, Morvan F, Montesarchio D. Charge-Transfer Interactions Stabilize G-Quadruplex-Forming Thrombin Binding Aptamers and Can Improve Their Anticoagulant Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9510. [PMID: 34502432 PMCID: PMC8430690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the search for optimized thrombin binding aptamers (TBAs), we herein describe the synthesis of a library of TBA analogues obtained by end-functionalization with the electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxy naphthalene (DAN) and the electron-deficient 1,8,4,5-naphthalenetetra-carboxylic diimide (NDI) moieties. Indeed, when these G-rich oligonucleotides were folded into the peculiar TBA G-quadruplex (G4) structure, effective donor-acceptor charge transfer interactions between the DAN and NDI residues attached to the extremities of the sequence were induced, providing pseudo-cyclic structures. Alternatively, insertion of NDI groups at both extremities produced TBA analogues stabilized by π-π stacking interactions. All the doubly-modified TBAs were characterized by different biophysical techniques and compared with the analogues carrying only the DAN or NDI residue and unmodified TBA. These modified TBAs exhibited higher nuclease resistance, and their G4 structures were markedly stabilized, as evidenced by increased Tm values compared to TBA. These favorable properties were also associated with improved anticoagulant activity for one DAN/NDI-modified TBA, and for one NDI/NDI-modified TBA. Our results indicated that TBA pseudo-cyclic structuring by ad hoc designed end-functionalization represents an efficient approach to improve the aptamer features, while pre-organizing and stabilizing the G4 structure but allowing sufficient flexibility to the aptamer folding, which is necessary for optimal thrombin recognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kévan Pérez de Carvasal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
- CSGI—Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Domenico Cavasso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
- CSGI—Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Jean-Jacques Vasseur
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael Smietana
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - François Morvan
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mahajan UM, Li Q, Alnatsha A, Maas J, Orth M, Maier SH, Peterhansl J, Regel I, Sendler M, Wagh PR, Mishra N, Xue Y, Allawadhi P, Beyer G, Kühn JP, Marshall T, Appel B, Lämmerhirt F, Belka C, Müller S, Weiss FU, Lauber K, Lerch MM, Mayerle J. Tumor-Specific Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil-Incorporated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted Aptamers as an Efficient Treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Models. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:996-1010.e1. [PMID: 34097885 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS & AIMS Fluoropyrimidine c (5-fluorouracil [5FU]) increasingly represents the chemotherapeutic backbone for neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and palliative treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Even in combination with other agents, 5FU efficacy remains transient and limited. One explanation for the inadequate response is insufficient and nonspecific delivery of 5FU to the tumor. METHODS We designed, generated, and characterized 5FU-incorporated systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX)-selected epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted aptamers for tumor-specific delivery of 5FU to PDAC cells and tested their therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS 5FU-EGFR aptamers reduced proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner in mouse and human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Time-lapsed live imaging showed EGFR-specific uptake of aptamers via clathrin-dependent endocytosis. The 5FU-aptamer treatment was equally effective in 5FU-sensitive and 5FU-refractory PDAC cell lines. Biweekly treatment with 5FU-EGFR aptamers reduced tumor burden in a syngeneic orthotopic transplantation model of PDAC, in an autochthonously growing genetically engineered PDAC model (LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Trp53flox/+;Ptf1a-Cre [KPC]), in an orthotopic cell line-derived xenograft model using human PDAC cells in athymic mice (CDX; Crl:NU-Foxn1nu), and in patient-derived organoids. Tumor growth was significantly attenuated during 5FU-EGFR aptamer treatment in the course of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Tumor-specific targeted delivery of 5FU using EGFR aptamers as the carrier achieved high target specificity; overcame 5FU resistance; and proved to be effective in a syngeneic orthotopic transplantation model, in KPC mice, in a CDX model, and in patient-derived organoids and, therefore, represents a promising backbone for pancreatic cancer chemotherapy in patients. Furthermore, our approach has the potential to target virtually any cancer entity sensitive to 5FU treatment by incorporating 5FU into cancer cell-targeting aptamers as the delivery platform.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/metabolism
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/administration & dosage
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Endocytosis
- ErbB Receptors/genetics
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Female
- Fluorouracil/administration & dosage
- Fluorouracil/metabolism
- Humans
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Organoids
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- SELEX Aptamer Technique
- Tumor Burden/drug effects
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwal M Mahajan
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ahmed Alnatsha
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jessica Maas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Orth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Julian Peterhansl
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ivonne Regel
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Sendler
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Preshit R Wagh
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Neha Mishra
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yonggan Xue
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Prince Allawadhi
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Beyer
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens-Peter Kühn
- Institute and Policlinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical University, Carl-Gustav-Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Marshall
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Bettina Appel
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Greifswald, Germany
| | - Felix Lämmerhirt
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Claus Belka
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Greifswald, Germany
| | - Frank-Ulrich Weiss
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kirsten Lauber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus M Lerch
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; LMU Klinikum, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Mayerle
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Acquah C, Jeevanandam J, Tan KX, Danquah MK. Engineered Aptamers for Enhanced COVID-19 Theranostics. Cell Mol Bioeng 2021; 14:209-221. [PMID: 33488836 PMCID: PMC7810429 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-020-00664-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The 2019-novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an intractable global health challenge resulting in an aberrant rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The mode of entry for SARS-CoV-2 into host cells occurs through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. As part of the efforts to mitigate COVID-19 infections, rapid and accurate detection methods, as well as smart vaccine and drug designs with SARS-CoV-2 targeting capabilities are critically needed. This systematic review aimed to present a good mapping between the structural and functional characteristics of aptamers and their potential applications in COVID-19 theranostics. METHODS In this study, extensive discussions into the potential development of aptameric systems as robust theranostics for rapid mitigation of the virulent SARS-CoV-2 was made. Information required for this study were extracted from a systematic review of literature in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and other official related reports from reputable organisations. RESULTS The global burden of COVID-19 pandemic was discussed including the progress in rapid detection, repurposing of existing antiviral drugs, and development of prophylactic vaccines. Aptamers have highly specific and stable target binding characteristics which can be generated and engineered with less complexity for COVID-19 targeted theranostic applications. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need to develop safe innovative biomedical technologies to mitigate the dire impact of COVID-19 on public health worldwide. Research advances into aptameric systems bode well with the fact that they can be engineered for the development of effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylactic vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Acquah
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada
| | - Jaison Jeevanandam
- CQM-Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Kei Xian Tan
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798 Singapore
| | - Michael K. Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, TN 37403 USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mojarad-Jabali S, Farshbaf M, Walker PR, Hemmati S, Fatahi Y, Zakeri-Milani P, Sarfraz M, Valizadeh H. An update on actively targeted liposomes in advanced drug delivery to glioma. Int J Pharm 2021; 602:120645. [PMID: 33915182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
High-grade glioma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer with a low survival rate ranging from 12 to 15 months after the first diagnosis. Though being the most common strategy for glioma therapy, conventional chemotherapy suffers providing the therapeutic dosage of common therapeutics mostly because of limited permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB), and blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) to anticancer agents. Among various nanoformulations, liposomes are considered as the most popular carriers aimed for glioma therapy. However, non-targeted liposomes which passively accumulate in most of the cancer tissues mainly through the enhanced permeation and retention effect (EPR), may not be applicable for glioma therapy due to BBB tight junctions. In the recent decade, the surface modification of liposomes with different active targeting ligands has shown promising results by getting different chemotherapeutics across the BBB and BBTB and leading them into the glioma cells. The present review discusses the major barriers for drug delivery systems to glioma, elaborates the existing mechanisms for liposomes to traverse across the BBB, and explores the main strategies for incorporation of targeting ligands onto the liposomes. It subsequently investigates the most recent and relevant studies of actively targeted liposomes modified with antibodies, aptamers, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, proteins, and peptides applied for effective glioma therapy, and highlights the common challenges facing this area. Finally, the actively targeted liposomes undergoing preclinical and clinical studies for delivery of different anticancer agents to glioma cells will be reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Mojarad-Jabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Masoud Farshbaf
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Paul R Walker
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Geneva and Division of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Salar Hemmati
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yousef Fatahi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parvin Zakeri-Milani
- Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Center and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Muhammad Sarfraz
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain 64141, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hadi Valizadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Yi K, Rong Y, Huang L, Tang X, Zhang Q, Wang W, Wu J, Wang F. Aptamer-Exosomes for Tumor Theranostics. ACS Sens 2021; 6:1418-1429. [PMID: 33755415 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c02237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
As carriers of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids) from parent cells, exosomes play a significant role in physiology and pathology. In any diseased state, the morphology of the released exosomes remained similar. The contents of exosomes change depending on the disease or its stage; thus, exosomes are generally considered as a "source of biomarkers". Therefore, they are considered promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. As natural delivery vehicles, exosomes can protect their cargo from immune clearance and deliver them to other cells through membrane fusion. After being genetically edited at the cell or exosome level, exosomes can be used for treatment with aptamers. Aptamers are short stretches of oligonucleotide sequences or short polypeptides that have been selected in vitro or in vivo, and have a wide range of targets and show excellent binding affinity and specificity. Aptamers have been widely used as molecular probes, and the combination of aptamers with exosomes has become a new direction for exosome-related research and therapeutic development. Here, we summarized various applications of exosomes and aptamers in cancer research, and further analyzed their combination as an "aptamer-exosome". Finally, we propose future directions for the aptamer-exosome in the precise diagnosis or personalized treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kezhen Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Rong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Lanxiang Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Jianyuan Wu
- Clinical Trial Center of Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Fubing Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ștefan G, Hosu O, De Wael K, Lobo-Castañón MJ, Cristea C. Aptamers in biomedicine: Selection strategies and recent advances. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.137994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
25
|
Riccardi C, Napolitano E, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. Dimeric and Multimeric DNA Aptamers for Highly Effective Protein Recognition. Molecules 2020; 25:E5227. [PMID: 33182593 PMCID: PMC7698228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multivalent interactions frequently occur in biological systems and typically provide higher binding affinity and selectivity in target recognition than when only monovalent interactions are operative. Thus, taking inspiration by nature, bivalent or multivalent nucleic acid aptamers recognizing a specific biological target have been extensively studied in the last decades. Indeed, oligonucleotide-based aptamers are suitable building blocks for the development of highly efficient multivalent systems since they can be easily modified and assembled exploiting proper connecting linkers of different nature. Thus, substantial research efforts have been put in the construction of dimeric/multimeric versions of effective aptamers with various degrees of success in target binding affinity or therapeutic activity enhancement. The present review summarizes recent advances in the design and development of dimeric and multimeric DNA-based aptamers, including those forming G-quadruplex (G4) structures, recognizing different key proteins in relevant pathological processes. Most of the designed constructs have shown improved performance in terms of binding affinity or therapeutic activity as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticoagulant, and anticancer agents and their number is certainly bound to grow in the next future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Riccardi C, Napolitano E, Platella C, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers targeting human thrombin: Discovery, chemical modifications and antithrombotic effects. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 217:107649. [PMID: 32777331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
First studies on thrombin-inhibiting DNA aptamers were reported in 1992, and since then a large number of anticoagulant aptamers has been discovered. TBA - also named HD1, a 15-mer G-quadruplex (G4)-forming oligonucleotide - is the best characterized thrombin binding aptamer, able to specifically recognize the protein exosite I, thus inhibiting the conversion of soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands. Unmodified nucleic acid-based aptamers, in general, and TBA in particular, exhibit limited pharmacokinetic properties and are rapidly degraded in vivo by nucleases. In order to improve the biological performance of aptamers, a widely investigated strategy is the introduction of chemical modifications in their backbone at the level of the nucleobases, sugar moieties or phosphodiester linkages. Besides TBA, also other thrombin binding aptamers, able to adopt a well-defined G4 structure, e.g. mixed duplex/quadruplex sequences, as well as homo- and hetero-bivalent constructs, have been identified and optimized. Considering the growing need of new efficient anticoagulant agents associated with the strong therapeutic potential of these thrombin inhibitors, the research on thrombin binding aptamers is still a very hot and intriguing field. Herein, we comprehensively described the state-of-the-art knowledge on the DNA-based aptamers targeting thrombin, especially focusing on the optimized analogues obtained by chemically modifying the oligonucleotide backbone, and their biological performances in therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2(nd) Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
De Fenza M, Eremeeva E, Troisi R, Yang H, Esposito A, Sica F, Herdewijn P, D'Alonzo D, Guaragna A. Structure-Activity Relationship Study of a Potent α-Thrombin Binding Aptamer Incorporating Hexitol Nucleotides. Chemistry 2020; 26:9589-9597. [PMID: 32363791 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202001504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The replacement of one or more nucleotide residues in the potent α-thrombin-binding aptamer NU172 with hexitol-based nucleotides has been devised to study the effect of these substitutions on the physicochemical and functional properties of the anticoagulant agent. The incorporation of single hexitol nucleotides at the T9 and G18 positions of NU172 substantially retained the physicochemical features of the parent oligonucleotide, as a result of the biomimetic properties of the hexitol backbone. Importantly, the NU172-TH 9 mutant exhibited a higher binding affinity toward human α-thrombin than the native aptamer and an improved stability even after 24 h in 90 % human serum, with a significant increase in the estimated half-life. The anticoagulant activity of the modified oligonucleotide was also found to be slightly preferable to NU172. Overall, these results confirm the potential of hexitol nucleotides as biomimetic agents, while laying the foundations for the development of NU172-inspired α-thrombin-binding aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria De Fenza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elena Eremeeva
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Hui Yang
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Esposito
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49-box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniele D'Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guaragna
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zhou LY, Qin Z, Zhu YH, He ZY, Xu T. Current RNA-based Therapeutics in Clinical Trials. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 19:172-196. [PMID: 31566126 DOI: 10.2174/1566523219666190719100526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Long-term research on various types of RNAs has led to further understanding of diverse mechanisms, which eventually resulted in the rapid development of RNA-based therapeutics as powerful tools in clinical disease treatment. Some of the developing RNA drugs obey the antisense mechanisms including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, small activating RNAs, and ribozymes. These types of RNAs could be utilized to inhibit/activate gene expression or change splicing to provide functional proteins. In the meantime, some others based on different mechanisms like modified messenger RNAs could replace the dysfunctional endogenous genes to manage some genetic diseases, and aptamers with special three-dimensional structures could bind to specific targets in a high-affinity manner. In addition, the recent most popular CRISPR-Cas technology, consisting of a crucial single guide RNA, could edit DNA directly to generate therapeutic effects. The desired results from recent clinical trials indicated the great potential of RNA-based drugs in the treatment of various diseases, but further studies on improving delivery materials and RNA modifications are required for the novel RNA-based drugs to translate to the clinic. This review focused on the advances and clinical studies of current RNA-based therapeutics, analyzed their challenges and prospects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Yan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhou Qin
- Department of Pharmacy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang-Hui Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhi-Yao He
- Department of Pharmacy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Pharmacy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Immobilization Techniques for Aptamers on Gold Electrodes for the Electrochemical Detection of Proteins: A Review. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2020; 10:bios10050045. [PMID: 32354207 PMCID: PMC7277302 DOI: 10.3390/bios10050045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of reliable biosensing platforms plays a key role in the detection of proteins in clinically and environmentally derived samples for diagnostics, as well as for process monitoring in biotechnological productions. For this purpose, the biosensor has to be stable and reproducible, and highly sensitive to detect potentially extremely low concentrations and prevent the nonspecific binding of interfering compounds. In this review, we present an overview of recently published (2017–2019) immobilization techniques for aptamers on gold electrodes for the electrochemical detection of proteins. These include the direct immobilization of thiolated aptamers and the utilization of short linkers, streptavidin/biotin interaction, as well as DNA nanostructures and reduced graphene oxide as immobilization platforms. Applied strategies for signal amplification and the prevention of biofouling are additionally discussed, as they play a crucial role in the design of biosensors. While a wide variety of amplification strategies are already available, future investigations should aim to establish suitable antifouling strategies that are compatible with electrochemical measurements. The focus of our review lies on the detailed discussion of the underlying principles and the presentation of utilized chemical protocols in order to provide the reader with promising ideas and profound knowledge of the subject, as well as an update on recent discoveries and achievements.
Collapse
|
30
|
Nsairat H, Mahmoud IS, Odeh F, Abuarqoub D, Al-Azzawi H, Zaza R, Qadri MI, Ismail S, Al Bawab A, Awidi A, Alshaer W. Grafting of anti-nucleolin aptamer into preformed and remotely loaded liposomes through aptamer-cholesterol post-insertion. RSC Adv 2020; 10:36219-36229. [PMID: 35517091 PMCID: PMC9056972 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra07325c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A new combination strategy of an active loading and active targeting approach was applied in this work. The liposomes actively loaded with Curcumin (CRM) (LipCRM) were decorated with cholesterol tagged-anti-nucleolin AS1411 aptamer (NCL) via a new post-insertion approach, utilizing the cholesterol as a wedge to incorporate aptamer into the surface of the liposome bilayer. A successful NCL post-insertion was verified by agarose gel electrophoresis and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cellular uptake of AptNCL-Lip was investigated using flow cytometry and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) on two different human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). The uptake and cytotoxicity of loaded CRM were investigated using flow cytometry and MTT assay. Our results showed successful post insertion of NCL aptamer to the surface of Lip. Also, higher cellular uptake was noted for AptNCL-Alexa-LipRhod compared to blank LipRhod in both cell lines. Moreover, CLSM showed prominent endocytosis and uptake of AptNCL-Alexa–LipRhod into the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, the results showed a significant increase in the uptake and cytotoxicity of AptNCL-LipCRM compared to LipCRM in both cell lines. Overall, our results demonstrate a successful post-insertion of cholesterol-tagged aptamer into liposomes and the possible combination between active loading and active targeting. A new combination strategy of an active loading and active targeting approach was applied in this work.![]()
Collapse
|
31
|
Odeh F, Nsairat H, Alshaer W, Ismail MA, Esawi E, Qaqish B, Bawab AA, Ismail SI. Aptamers Chemistry: Chemical Modifications and Conjugation Strategies. Molecules 2019; 25:E3. [PMID: 31861277 PMCID: PMC6982925 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Soon after they were first described in 1990, aptamers were largely recognized as a new class of biological ligands that can rival antibodies in various analytical, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. Aptamers are short single-stranded RNA or DNA oligonucleotides capable of folding into complex 3D structures, enabling them to bind to a large variety of targets ranging from small ions to an entire organism. Their high binding specificity and affinity make them comparable to antibodies, but they are superior regarding a longer shelf life, simple production and chemical modification, in addition to low toxicity and immunogenicity. In the past three decades, aptamers have been used in a plethora of therapeutics and drug delivery systems that involve innovative delivery mechanisms and carrying various types of drug cargos. However, the successful translation of aptamer research from bench to bedside has been challenged by several limitations that slow down the realization of promising aptamer applications as therapeutics at the clinical level. The main limitations include the susceptibility to degradation by nucleases, fast renal clearance, low thermal stability, and the limited functional group diversity. The solution to overcome such limitations lies in the chemistry of aptamers. The current review will focus on the recent arts of aptamer chemistry that have been evolved to refine the pharmacological properties of aptamers. Moreover, this review will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of such chemical modifications and how they impact the pharmacological properties of aptamers. Finally, this review will summarize the conjugation strategies of aptamers to nanocarriers for developing targeted drug delivery systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fadwa Odeh
- Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (F.O.); (H.N.); (A.A.B.)
- Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Hamdi Nsairat
- Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (F.O.); (H.N.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Walhan Alshaer
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Mohammad A. Ismail
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (M.A.I.); (E.E.); (B.Q.); (S.I.I.)
| | - Ezaldeen Esawi
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (M.A.I.); (E.E.); (B.Q.); (S.I.I.)
| | - Baraa Qaqish
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (M.A.I.); (E.E.); (B.Q.); (S.I.I.)
| | - Abeer Al Bawab
- Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (F.O.); (H.N.); (A.A.B.)
- Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Said I. Ismail
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (M.A.I.); (E.E.); (B.Q.); (S.I.I.)
- Qatar Genome Project, Qatar Foundation, Doha 5825, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
McConnell EM, Cozma I, Morrison D, Li Y. Biosensors Made of Synthetic Functional Nucleic Acids Toward Better Human Health. Anal Chem 2019; 92:327-344. [PMID: 31656066 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin M McConnell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| | - Ioana Cozma
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1.,Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| | - Devon Morrison
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada , L8S 4K1
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ponce AT, Hong KL. A Mini-Review: Clinical Development and Potential of Aptamers for Thrombotic Events Treatment and Monitoring. Biomedicines 2019; 7:biomedicines7030055. [PMID: 31357413 PMCID: PMC6784064 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The unique opportunity for aptamer uses in thrombotic events has sparked a considerable amount of research in the area. The short half-lives of unmodified aptamers in vivo remain one of the major challenges in therapeutic aptamers. Much of the incremental successful therapeutic aptamer stories were due to modifications in the aptamer bases. This mini-review briefly summarizes the successes and challenges in the clinical development of aptamers for thrombotic events, and highlights some of the most recent developments in using aptamers for anticoagulation monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex T Ponce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, Wilkes University, 84 W. South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, USA
| | - Ka Lok Hong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, Wilkes University, 84 W. South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
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: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.4] [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
|
35
|
|