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Hu C, Yang S, Li S, Liu X, Liu Y, Chen Z, Chen H, Li S, He N, Cui H, Deng Y. Viral aptamer screening and aptamer-based biosensors for virus detection: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 276:133935. [PMID: 39029851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Virus-induced infectious diseases have a detrimental effect on public health and exert significant influence on the global economy. Therefore, the rapid and accurate detection of viruses is crucial for effectively preventing and diagnosing infections. Aptamer-based detection technologies have attracted researchers' attention as promising solutions. Aptamers, small single-stranded DNA or RNA screened via systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), possess a high affinity towards their target molecules. Numerous aptamers targeting viral marker proteins or virions have been developed and widely employed in aptamer-based biosensors (aptasensor) for virus detection. This review introduces SELEX schemes for screening aptamers and discusses distinctive SELEX strategies designed explicitly for viral targets. Furthermore, recent advances in aptamer-based biosensing methods for detecting common viruses using different virus-specific aptamers are summarized. Finally, limitations and prospects associated with developing of aptamer-based biosensors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changchun Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China; School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Shuting Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Shuo Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Xueying Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Institute for Future Sciences, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Song Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Nongyue He
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Haipo Cui
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Yan Deng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China; Institute for Future Sciences, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China; Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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2
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Cunha PDS, de Miranda MC, de Melo MIA, Ferreira ADF, Barbosa JL, Oliveira JADC, Goes TDS, Gomes DA, de Goes AM. Selection of internalizing RNA aptamers into human breast cancer cells derived from primary sites. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30540. [PMID: 38372191 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Although chemotherapy is still broadly used in its treatment, adverse effects remain a challenge. In this scenario, aptamers emerge as a promising alternative for theranostic applications. Studies using breast cancer cell lines provide useful information in laboratory and preclinical investigations, most of which use cell lines established from metastatic sites. However, these cell lines correspond to cell populations of the late stage of tumor progression. On the other hand, studies using breast cancer cells established from primary sites make it possible to search for new theranostic approaches in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, this work aimed to select RNA aptamers internalized by MGSO-3 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, derived from a primary site previously established in our laboratory. Using the Cell-Internalization SELEX method, we have selected two candidate aptamers (ApBC1 and ApBC2). We evaluated their internalization efficiencies, specificities, cellular localization by Reverse Transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) and confocal microscopy assays. The results suggest that both aptamers were efficiently internalized by human breast cancer cells, MACL-1, MDA-MB-231, and especially by MGSO-3 cells. Furthermore, both aptamers could effectively distinguish human breast cancer cells derived from normal human mammary cell (MCF 10A) and prostate cancer cell (PC3) lines. Therefore, ApBC1 and ApBC2 could be promising candidate molecules for theranostic applications, even in the early stages of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pricila da Silva Cunha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Coutinho de Miranda
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariane Izabella Abreu de Melo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andrea da Fonseca Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Joana Lobato Barbosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Tércio de Souza Goes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Dawidson Assis Gomes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alfredo Miranda de Goes
- Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Lou B, Liu Y, Shi M, Chen J, Li K, Tan Y, Chen L, Wu Y, Wang T, Liu X, Jiang T, Peng D, Liu Z. Aptamer-based biosensors for virus protein detection. Trends Analyt Chem 2022; 157:116738. [PMID: 35874498 PMCID: PMC9293409 DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Virus threatens life health seriously. The accurate early diagnosis of the virus is vital for clinical control and treatment of virus infection. Aptamers are small single-stranded oligonucleotides (DNAs or RNAs). In this review, we summarized aptasensors for virus detection in recent years according to the classification of the viral target protein, and illustrated common detection mechanisms in the aptasensors (colorimetry, fluorescence assay, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS), electrochemical detection, and field-effect transistor (FET)). Furthermore, aptamers against different target proteins of viruses were summarized. The relationships between the different biomarkers of the viruses and the detection methods, and their performances were revealed. In addition, the challenges and future directions of aptasensors were discussed. This review will provide valuable references for constructing on-site aptasensors for detecting viruses, especially the SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Lou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Meilin Shi
- School of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yifu Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Liwei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yuwei Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Dongming Peng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, PR China
| | - Zhenbao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China.,Molecular Imaging Research Center of Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
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Dzuvor CKO, Tettey EL, Danquah MK. Aptamers as promising nanotheranostic tools in the COVID-19 pandemic era. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 14:e1785. [PMID: 35238490 PMCID: PMC9111085 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS‐COV‐2, the causative agent of new coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) has become a pandemic threat. Early and precise detection of the virus is vital for effective diagnosis and treatment. Various testing kits and assays, including nucleic acid detection methods, antigen tests, serological tests, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), have been implemented or are being explored to detect the virus and/or characterize cellular and antibody responses to the infection. However, these approaches have inherent drawbacks such as nonspecificity, high cost, are characterized by long turnaround times for test results, and can be labor‐intensive. Also, the circulating SARS‐COV‐2 variant of concerns, reduced antibody sensitivity and/or neutralization, and possible antibody‐dependent enhancement (ADE) have warranted the search for alternative potent therapeutics. Aptamers, which are single‐stranded oligonucleotides, generated artificially by SELEX (Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) may offer the capacity to generate high‐affinity neutralizers and/or bioprobes for monitoring relevant SARS‐COV‐2 and COVID‐19 biomarkers. This article reviews and discusses the prospects of implementing aptamers for rapid point‐of‐care detection and treatment of SARS‐COV‐2. We highlight other SARS‐COV‐2 targets (N protein, spike protein stem‐helix), SELEX augmented with competition assays and in silico technologies for rapid discovery and isolation of theranostic aptamers against COVID‐19 and future pandemics. It further provides an overview on site‐specific bioconjugation approaches, customizable molecular scaffolding strategies, and nanotechnology platforms to engineer these aptamers into ultrapotent blockers, multivalent therapeutics, and vaccines to boost both humoral and cellular immunity against the virus. This article is categorized under:Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian K O Dzuvor
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
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Aptamers in Virology-A Consolidated Review of the Most Recent Advancements in Diagnosis and Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101646. [PMID: 34683938 PMCID: PMC8540715 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of short oligonucleotide or peptide molecules as target-specific aptamers has recently garnered substantial attention in the field of the detection and treatment of viral infections. Based on their high affinity and high specificity to desired targets, their use is on the rise to replace antibodies for the detection of viruses and viral antigens. Furthermore, aptamers inhibit intracellular viral transcription and translation, in addition to restricting viral entry into host cells. This has opened up a plethora of new targets for the research and development of novel vaccines against viruses. Here, we discuss the advances made in aptamer technology for viral diagnosis and therapy in the past decade.
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Kim TH, Lee SW. Aptamers for Anti-Viral Therapeutics and Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084168. [PMID: 33920628 PMCID: PMC8074132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections cause a host of fatal diseases and seriously affect every form of life from bacteria to humans. Although most viral infections can receive appropriate treatment thereby limiting damage to life and livelihood with modern medicine and early diagnosis, new types of viral infections are continuously emerging that need to be properly and timely treated. As time is the most important factor in the progress of many deadly viral diseases, early detection becomes of paramount importance for effective treatment. Aptamers are small oligonucleotide molecules made by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers are characterized by being able to specifically bind to a target, much like antibodies. However, unlike antibodies, aptamers are easily synthesized, modified, and are able to target a wider range of substances, including proteins and carbohydrates. With these advantages in mind, many studies on aptamer-based viral diagnosis and treatments are currently in progress. The use of aptamers for viral diagnosis requires a system that recognizes the binding of viral molecules to aptamers in samples of blood, serum, plasma, or in virus-infected cells. From a therapeutic perspective, aptamers target viral particles or host cell receptors to prevent the interaction between the virus and host cells or target intracellular viral proteins to interrupt the life cycle of the virus within infected cells. In this paper, we review recent attempts to use aptamers for the diagnosis and treatment of various viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea;
| | - Seong-Wook Lee
- Department of Life Convergence, Research Institute of Advanced Omics, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
- R&D Center, Rznomics Inc., Seongnam 13486, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Uemachi H, Kasahara Y, Tanaka K, Okuda T, Yoneda Y, Obika S. Discovery of cell-internalizing artificial nucleic acid aptamers for lung fibroblasts and targeted drug delivery. Bioorg Chem 2020; 105:104321. [PMID: 33074117 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Lung fibroblasts play major roles in the lung repair/fibrosis process through synthesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Those aberrant activations and elevated proliferations are associated with several fibrotic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Targeting fibroblasts is a promising approach for preventing aberrant remodeling of lung architecture and protect irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we developed an aptamer that can target lung fibroblasts and explored its potential as a delivery vehicle of cytotoxic agents intracellularly. The aptamer was discovered from artificial nucleic acid libraries through cell-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX). This indole-modified aptamer can bind to LL97A cells, a fibroblast cell line derived from IPF patients, with high affinity (Kd = 70 nM). It also showed affinity to other lung fibroblasts, while cross-reactivity to epithelial cells was minimal. An aptamer-monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) conjugate was generated by hybridizing with complementary DNA linked to MMAF. The resulting aptamer-MMAF conjugate inhibited proliferation of fibroblasts but appeared non-toxic to non-targeted epithelial cells. Our results show that artificial nucleic acid aptamer may potentially be used for fibroblast-specific therapy and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiro Uemachi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka 567-0085, Japan; DSP Cancer Institute, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka 567-0085, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Tanaka
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takumi Okuda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka 567-0085, Japan
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Reduced graphene oxide-based field effect transistors for the detection of E7 protein of human papillomavirus in saliva. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 413:779-787. [PMID: 32816088 PMCID: PMC7438402 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02879-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several challenging biological sensing concepts have been realized using electrolyte-gated reduced graphene oxide field effect transistors (rGO-FETs). In this work, we demonstrate the interest of rGO-FET for the sensing of human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses and a necessary factor for cervical carcinogenesis. The highly sensitive and selective detection of the HPV-16 E7 protein relies on the attractive semiconducting characteristics of pyrene-modified rGO functionalized with RNA aptamer Sc5-c3. The aptamer-functionalized rGO-FET allows for monitoring the aptamer-HPV-16 E7 protein binding in real time with a detection limit of about 100 pg mL−1 (1.75 nM) for HPV-16 E7 from five blank noise signals (95% confidence level). The feasibility of this method for clinical application in point-of-care technology is evaluated using HPV-16 E7 protein suspended in saliva and demonstrates the successful fabrication of a promising field effect transistor biosensor for HPV diagnosis. Graphical abstract![]()
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Aptamers Against Live Targets: Is In Vivo SELEX Finally Coming to the Edge? MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:192-204. [PMID: 32585627 PMCID: PMC7321788 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapeutics underwent a revolution with the entry of monoclonal antibodies in the medical toolkit. Oligonucleotide aptamers form another family of target agents that have been lagging behind in reaching the clinical arena in spite of their potential clinical translation. Some of the reasons for this might be related to the challenge in identifying aptamers with optimal in vivo specificity, and the nature of their pharmacokinetics. Aptamers usually show exquisite specificity, but they are also molecules that display dynamic structures subject to changing environments. Temperature, ion atmosphere, pH, and other variables are factors that could determine the affinity and specificity of aptamers. Thus, it is important to tune the aptamer selection process to the conditions in which you want your final aptamer to function; ideally, for in vivo applications, aptamers should be selected in an in vivo-like system or, ultimately, in a whole in vivo organism. In this review we recapitulate the implementations in systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) to obtain aptamers with the best in vivo activity.
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Yao J, Li S, Zhang L, Yang Y, Gopinath SC, Lakshmipriya T, Zhou Y. Aptamer-antibody dual probes on single-walled carbon nanotube bridged dielectrode: Comparative analysis on human blood clotting factor. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 151:1133-1138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Zhong Y, Zhao J, Li J, Liao X, Chen F. Advances of aptamers screened by Cell-SELEX in selection procedure, cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Anal Biochem 2020; 598:113620. [PMID: 32087127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are a class of short artificial single-stranded oligo(deoxy) nucleotides that can bind to different targets, which generated by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Due to excellent selectivity and high affinity to targets, aptamers hold considerable potential as molecular probe in diverse applications ranging from ensuring food safety, monitoring environment, disease diagnosis to therapy. This review highlights recent development and challenges about aptamers screened by Cell-SELEX, and its application about cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Advances about some operation methods such as seperation method and culture method in aptamers selection procedure were summarized in this paper. Some common challenges and technological difficulties such as nonspecific binding and biostability were discussed. Up to now, the recent endeavors about cancer diagnostic and therapeutic applications of aptamers are summarized and expatiated. Most of aptamers screened by Cell-SELEX took tumor cells as target cells, and such aptamers have been assembled to various aptasensor for cancer diagnosis. Aptamers conjugated various drugs or nanomaterials are functioned for cancer target therapy to improve drugs delivery efficiency and reduce side effects. Furthermore, the duplexed aptamer is discussed to be applied for cancer cells detection and some conflicts of theories about duplexed aptamer designs are analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiayao Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiazhao Li
- Qionglai maternal&Child health care hospital, Chengdu, 611530, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Liao
- School of laboratory medical and Life science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Fujian, China
| | - Fengling Chen
- National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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12
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Yan J, Xiong H, Cai S, Wen N, He Q, Liu Y, Peng D, Liu Z. Advances in aptamer screening technologies. Talanta 2019; 200:124-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Kaur H. Recent developments in cell-SELEX technology for aptamer selection. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2323-2329. [PMID: 30059712 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SELEX technique is employed to select aptamers against wide range of targets. The in vitro method of aptamer selection using live cells as the target is referred as cell-SELEX. SCOPE OF THE REVIEW The review provides a comprehensive description on the development of aptamers through various cell-SELEX methods and list of aptamers identified through this method. In addition, it pinpoints the advantages and limitations of the cell-SELEX process and its variants. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The use of aptamers as therapeutic and diagnostic agents is rapidly evolving, selection techniques such as Cell-SELEX could be beneficial in identifying aptamers when the target is in its native conformation and without prior information of the cognate target, thereby bringing the aptamer development one step closer to the clinic. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The information in this review can serve as a database for the design and development of futuristic oligonucleotide based diagnostics and therapeutics work.
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Buduru S, Zimta AA, Ciocan C, Braicu C, Dudea D, Irimie AI, Berindan-Neagoe I. RNA interference: new mechanistic and biochemical insights with application in oral cancer therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2018; 13:3397-3409. [PMID: 29922059 PMCID: PMC5997132 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s167383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the incidence of oral cancer has gradually increased, due to the negative influence of environmental factors and also abnormalities within the genome. The main issues in oral cancer treatment consist in surpassing resistance and recurrence. However, continuous discovery of altered signaling pathways in these tumors provides valuable information for the identification of novel gene candidates targeted in personalized therapy. RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural mechanism that involves small interfering RNA (siRNA); this can be exploited in biomedical research by using natural or synthetic constructs for activation of the mechanism. Synthetic siRNA transcripts were developed as a versatile class of molecular tools that have a diverse range of programmable roles, being involved in the regulation of several biological processes, thereby providing the perspective of an alternative option to classical treatment. In this review, we summarize the latest information related to the application of siRNA in oral malignancy together with molecular aspects of the technology and also the perspective upon the delivery system. Also, the emergence of newer technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 or transcription activator-like effector nucleases in comparison with the RNAi approach is discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smaranda Buduru
- Department of Prosthetics and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina-Andreea Zimta
- MEDFUTURE – Research Center for Advanced Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Ciocan
- MEDFUTURE – Research Center for Advanced Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Diana Dudea
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials, Division Dental Propaedeutic, Aesthetic, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Iulia Irimie
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials, Division Dental Propaedeutic, Aesthetic, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- MEDFUTURE – Research Center for Advanced Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute “Prof Dr Ion Chiricuta”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Selection and Identification of Skeletal-Muscle-Targeted RNA Aptamers. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 10:199-214. [PMID: 29499933 PMCID: PMC5862129 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide gene therapy has shown great promise for the treatment of muscular dystrophies. Nevertheless, the selective delivery to affected muscles has shown to be challenging because of their high representation in the body and the high complexity of their cell membranes. Current trials show loss of therapeutic molecules to non-target tissues leading to lower target efficacy. Therefore, strategies that increase uptake efficiency would be particularly compelling. To address this need, we applied a cell-internalization SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) approach and identified a skeletal muscle-specific RNA aptamer. A01B RNA aptamer preferentially internalizes in skeletal muscle cells and exhibits decreased affinity for off-target cells. Moreover, this in vitro selected aptamer retained its functionality in vivo, suggesting a potential new approach for targeting skeletal muscles. Ultimately, this will aid in the development of targeted oligonucleotide therapies against muscular dystrophies.
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16
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Chen C, Zhou S, Cai Y, Tang F. Nucleic acid aptamer application in diagnosis and therapy of colorectal cancer based on cell-SELEX technology. NPJ Precis Oncol 2017; 1:37. [PMID: 29872716 PMCID: PMC5871892 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-017-0041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are a class of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands. They serve as “chemical antibodies” since their high affinity and specificity. Nucleic acid aptamers are generated from nucleic acid random-sequence using a systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technology. SELEX is a process of effectively selecting aptamers from different targets. A newly developed cell-based SELEX technique has been widely used in biomarker discovery, early diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy, particular at colorectal cancer (CRC). Combined with nanostructures, nano-aptamer-drug delivery system was constructed for drug delivery. Various nanostructures functionalized with aptamers are highly efficient and has been used in CRC therapeutic applications. In the present, we introduce a cell- SELEX technique, and summarize the potential application of aptamers as biomarkers in CRC diagnosis and therapy. And some characteristics of aptamer-targeted nanocarriers in CRC have been expatiated. The challenges and perspectives for cell-SELEX are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Chen
- 1Clinical Laboratory and Medical Research Center, Zhuhai Hospital of Jinan University, Zhuhai People's Hospital, 519000 Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Shan Zhou
- 1Clinical Laboratory and Medical Research Center, Zhuhai Hospital of Jinan University, Zhuhai People's Hospital, 519000 Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Yongqiang Cai
- 1Clinical Laboratory and Medical Research Center, Zhuhai Hospital of Jinan University, Zhuhai People's Hospital, 519000 Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Faqing Tang
- 1Clinical Laboratory and Medical Research Center, Zhuhai Hospital of Jinan University, Zhuhai People's Hospital, 519000 Zhuhai, Guangdong China.,2Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 410006 Changsha, China
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17
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Designing probe from E6 genome region of human Papillomavirus 16 for sensing applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 107:1738-1746. [PMID: 29030179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a standout amongst the most commonly reported over 100 types, among them genotypes 16, 18, 31 and 45 are the high-risk HPV. Herein, we designed the oligonucleotide probe for the detection of predominant HPV type 16 for the sensing applications. Conserved amino acid sequences within E6 region of the open reading frame in the HPV genome was used as the basis to design oligonucleotide probe to detect cervical cancer. Analyses of E6 amino acid sequences from the high-risk HPVs were done to check the percentage of similarity and consensus regions that cause different cancers, including cervical cancer. Basic local alignment search tools (BLAST) have given extra statistical parameters, for example, desire values (E-values) and score bits. The probe, 'GGG GTC GGT GGA CCG GTC GAT GTA' was designed with 66.7% GC content. This oligonucleotide probe is designed with the length of 24 mer, GC percent is between 40 and 70, and the melting point (Tm) is above 50°C. The probe needed an acceptable length between 22 and 31 mer. The choice of region is identified here can be used as a probe, has implications for HPV detection techniques in biosensor especially for clinical determination of cervical cancer.
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18
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Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acids referred to as chemical antibodies as they bind to their specific targets with high affinity and selectivity. They are selected via an iterative process known as ‘selective evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment’ (SELEX). Aptamers have been developed against numerous cancer targets and among them, many tumor cell-membrane protein biomarkers. The identification of aptamers targeting cell-surface proteins has mainly been performed by two different strategies: protein- and cell-based SELEX, when the targets used for selection were proteins and cells, respectively. This review aims to update the literature on aptamers targeting tumor cell surface protein biomarkers, highlighting potentials, pitfalls of protein- and cell-based selection processes and applications of such selected molecules. Aptamers as promising agents for diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in oncology are documented, as well as aptamers in clinical development.
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Platella C, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D, Roviello GN, Musumeci D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers against protein targets in therapy and diagnostics. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1429-1447. [PMID: 27865995 PMCID: PMC7117017 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules identified to recognize with high affinity specific targets including proteins, small molecules, ions, whole cells and even entire organisms, such as viruses or bacteria. They can be identified from combinatorial libraries of DNA or RNA oligonucleotides by SELEX technology, an in vitro iterative selection procedure consisting of binding (capture), partitioning and amplification steps. Remarkably, many of the aptamers selected against biologically relevant protein targets are G-rich sequences that can fold into stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Aiming at disseminating novel inspiring ideas within the scientific community in the field of G4-structures, the emphasis of this review is placed on: 1) recent advancements in SELEX technology for the efficient and rapid identification of new candidate aptamers (introduction of microfluidic systems and next generation sequencing); 2) recurrence of G4 structures in aptamers selected by SELEX against biologically relevant protein targets; 3) discovery of several G4-forming motifs in important regulatory regions of the human or viral genome bound by endogenous proteins, which per se can result into potential aptamers; 4) an updated overview of G4-based aptamers with therapeutic potential and 5) a discussion on the most attractive G4-based aptamers for diagnostic applications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Napoli, Italy.
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20
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Cell-SELEX Identifies a "Sticky" RNA Aptamer Sequence. J Nucleic Acids 2017; 2017:4943072. [PMID: 28194280 PMCID: PMC5282457 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4943072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-SELEX is performed to select for cell binding aptamers. We employed an additional selection pressure by using RNAse to remove surface-binding aptamers and select for cell-internalizing aptamers. A common RNA sequence was identified from independent cell-SELEX procedures against two different pancreatic cancer cell lines, indicating a strong selection pressure towards this sequence from the large pool of other available sequences present in the aptamer library. The aptamer is not specific for the pancreatic cancer cell lines, and a similar sequence motif is present in previously published internalizing aptamers. The identified sequence forms a structural motif that binds to a surface protein, which either is highly abundant or has strong affinity for the selected aptamer sequence. Deselecting (removing) this sequence during cell-SELEX may increase the probability of identifying aptamers against cell type-specific targets on the cell surface.
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21
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González VM, Martín ME, Fernández G, García-Sacristán A. Use of Aptamers as Diagnostics Tools and Antiviral Agents for Human Viruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:ph9040078. [PMID: 27999271 PMCID: PMC5198053 DOI: 10.3390/ph9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate diagnosis is the key factor for treatment of viral diseases. Time is the most important factor in rapidly developing and epidemiologically dangerous diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and SARS. Chronic viral diseases such as HIV-1 or HCV are asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic and the therapeutic success mainly depends on early detection of the infective agent. Over the last years, aptamer technology has been used in a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications and, concretely, several strategies are currently being explored using aptamers against virus proteins. From a diagnostics point of view, aptamers are being designed as a bio-recognition element in diagnostic systems to detect viral proteins either in the blood (serum or plasma) or into infected cells. Another potential use of aptamers is for therapeutics of viral infections, interfering in the interaction between the virus and the host using aptamers targeting host-cell matrix receptors, or attacking the virus intracellularly, targeting proteins implicated in the viral replication cycle. In this paper, we review how aptamers working against viral proteins are discovered, with a focus on recent advances that improve the aptamers' properties as a real tool for viral infection detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor M González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - M Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana García-Sacristán
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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22
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Fortenberry YM, Brandal SM, Carpentier G, Hemani M, Pathak AP. Intracellular Expression of PAI-1 Specific Aptamers Alters Breast Cancer Cell Migration, Invasion and Angiogenesis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164288. [PMID: 27755560 PMCID: PMC5068744 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is elevated in various cancers, where it has been shown to effect cell migration and invasion and angiogenesis. While, PAI-1 is a secreted protein, its intercellular levels are increased in cancer cells. Consequently, intracellular PAI-1 could contribute to cancer progression. While various small molecule inhibitors of PAI-1 are currently being investigated, none specifically target intracellular PAI-1. A class of inhibitors, termed aptamers, has been used effectively in several clinical applications. We previously generated RNA aptamers that target PAI-1 and demonstrated their ability to inhibit extracellular PAI-1. In the current study we explored the effect of these aptamers on intracellular PAI-1. We transiently transfected the PAI-1 specific aptamers into both MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and studied their effects on cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Aptamer expressing MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited a decrease in cell migration and invasion. Additionally, intracellular PAI-1 and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) protein levels decreased, while the PAI-1/uPA complex increased. Moreover, a significant decrease in endothelial tube formation in HUVECs transfected with the aptamers was observed. In contrast, conditioned media from aptamer transfected MDA-MB-231 cells displayed a slight pro-angiogenic effect. Collectively, our study shows that expressing functional aptamers inside breast and endothelial cells is feasible and may exhibit therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda M Fortenberry
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.,Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Stephanie M Brandal
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Gilles Carpentier
- Laboratoire CRRET, Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris-Est Créteil, 61 avenue du général De Gaulle, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - Malvi Hemani
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Arvind P Pathak
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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23
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Benedetto G, Vestal CG, Richardson C. Aptamer-Functionalized Nanoparticles as "Smart Bombs": The Unrealized Potential for Personalized Medicine and Targeted Cancer Treatment. Target Oncol 2016; 10:467-85. [PMID: 25989948 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-015-0371-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Conventional delivery of chemotherapeutic agents leads to multiple systemic side effects and toxicity, limiting the doses that can be used. The development of targeted therapies to selectively deliver anti-cancer agents to tumor cells without damaging neighboring unaffected cells would lead to higher effective local doses and improved response rates. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to target molecules with both high affinity and high specificity. The high specificity exhibited by aptamers promotes localization and uptake by specific cell populations, such as tumor cells, and their conjugation to anti-cancer drugs has been explored for targeted therapy. Advancements in the development of polymeric nanoparticles allow anti-cancer drugs to be encapsulated in protective nonreactive shells for controlled drug delivery with reduced toxicity. The conjugation of aptamers to nanoparticle-based therapeutics may further enhance direct targeting and personalized medicine. Here we present how the combinatorial use of aptamer and nanoparticle technologies has the potential to develop "smart bombs" for targeted cancer treatment, highlighting recent pre-clinical studies demonstrating efficacy for the direct targeting to particular tumor cell populations. However, despite these pre-clinical promising results, there has been little progress in moving this technology to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Benedetto
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, 1902 University City Blvd., Woodward Hall Room 386B, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
| | - C Greer Vestal
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, 1902 University City Blvd., Woodward Hall Room 386B, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
| | - Christine Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, 1902 University City Blvd., Woodward Hall Room 386B, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
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Sherchand SP, Ibana JA, Zea AH, Quayle AJ, Aiyar A. The High-Risk Human Papillomavirus E6 Oncogene Exacerbates the Negative Effect of Tryptophan Starvation on the Development of Chlamydia trachomatis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163174. [PMID: 27658027 PMCID: PMC5033384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that requires specific essential nutrients from the host cell, one of which is the amino acid tryptophan. In this context interferon gamma (IFNγ) is the major host protective cytokine against chlamydial infections because it induces the expression of the host enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, that degrades tryptophan, thereby restricting bacterial replication. The mechanism by which IFNγ acts has been dissected in vitro using epithelial cell-lines such as HeLa, HEp-2, or the primary-like endocervical cell-line A2EN. All these cell-lines express the high-risk human papillomavirus oncogenes E6 & E7. While screening cell-lines to identify those suitable for C. trachomatis co-infections with other genital pathogens, we unexpectedly found that tryptophan starvation did not completely block chlamydial development in cell-lines that were HR-HPV negative, such as C33A and 293. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that HR-HPV oncogenes modulate the effect of tryptophan starvation on chlamydial development by comparing chlamydial development in HeLa and C33A cell-lines that were both derived from cervical carcinomas. Our results indicate that during tryptophan depletion, unlike HeLa, C33A cells generate sufficient intracellular tryptophan via proteasomal activity to permit C. trachomatis replication. By generating stable derivatives of C33A that expressed HPV16 E6, E7 or E6 & E7, we found that E6 expression alone was sufficient to convert C33A cells to behave like HeLa during tryptophan starvation. The reduced tryptophan levels in HeLa cells have a biological consequence; akin to the previously described effect of IFNγ, tryptophan starvation protects C. trachomatis from clearance by doxycycline in HeLa but not C33A cells. Curiously, when compared to the known Homo sapiens proteome, the representation of tryptophan in the HR-HPV E6 & E6AP degradome is substantially lower, possibly providing a mechanism that underlies the lowered intracellular free tryptophan levels in E6-expressing cells during starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shardulendra P. Sherchand
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Joyce A. Ibana
- Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, PH, 1101
| | - Arnold H. Zea
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Alison J. Quayle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Ashok Aiyar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Cell-targeting aptamers act as intracellular delivery vehicles. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:6955-69. [PMID: 27350620 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7686-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids or peptides identified from a randomized combinatorial library through specific interaction with the target of interest. Targets can be of any size, from small molecules to whole cells, attesting to the versatility of aptamers for binding a wide range of targets. Aptamers show drug properties that are analogous to antibodies, with high specificity and affinity to their target molecules. Aptamers can penetrate disease-causing microbial and mammalian cells. Generated aptamers that target surface biomarkers act as cell-targeting agents and intracellular delivery vehicles. Within this context, the "cell-internalizing aptamers" are widely investigated via the process of cell uptake with selective binding during in vivo systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) or by cell-internalization SELEX, which targets cell surface antigens to be receptors. These internalizing aptamers are highly preferable for the localization and functional analyses of multiple targets. In this overview, we discuss the ways by which internalizing aptamers are generated and their successful applications. Furthermore, theranostic approaches featuring cell-internalized aptamers are discussed with the purpose of analyzing and diagnosing disease-causing pathogens.
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26
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Gijs M, Penner G, Blackler GB, Impens NREN, Baatout S, Luxen A, Aerts AM. Improved Aptamers for the Diagnosis and Potential Treatment of HER2-Positive Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:E29. [PMID: 27213406 PMCID: PMC4932547 DOI: 10.3390/ph9020029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers provide a potential source of alternative targeting molecules for existing antibody diagnostics and therapeutics. In this work, we selected novel DNA aptamers targeting the HER2 receptor by an adherent whole-cell SELEX approach. Individual aptamers were identified by next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Two aptamers, HeA2_1 and HeA2_3, were shown to bind the HER2 protein with affinities in the nanomolar range. In addition, both aptamers were able to bind with high specificity to HER2-overexpressing cells and HER2-positive tumor tissue samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that aptamer HeA2_3 is being internalized into cancer cells and has an inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth and viability. In the end, we selected novel DNA aptamers with great potential for the diagnosis and possible treatment of HER2-positive cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Gijs
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium.
- Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Gregory Penner
- NeoVentures Biotechnology Inc., London, N6A 1A1 ON, Canada.
| | | | | | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - André Luxen
- Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - An M Aerts
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium.
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27
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Trends in the Design and Development of Specific Aptamers Against Peptides and Proteins. Protein J 2016; 35:81-99. [DOI: 10.1007/s10930-016-9653-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Rozenblum GT, Lopez VG, Vitullo AD, Radrizzani M. Aptamers: current challenges and future prospects. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2015; 11:127-35. [PMID: 26630462 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2016.1126244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aptamers are oligonucleotide molecules raised in vitro from large combinatorial libraries of nucleic acids and developed to bind to targets with high affinity and specificity. Whereas novel target molecules are proposed for therapeutic intervention and diagnostic, aptamer technology has a great potential to become a source of lead compounds. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors address the current status of the technology and highlight the recent progress in aptamer-based technologies. They also discuss the current major technical limitations of aptamer technology and propose original solutions based on existing technologies that could result in a solid aptamer-discovery platform. EXPERT OPINION Whereas aptamers have shown to bind to targets with similar affinities and specificities to those of antibodies, aptamers have several advantages that could outweigh antibody technology and open new opportunities for better medical and diagnostic solutions. However, the current status of the aptamer technology suffers from several technical limitations that slowdown the progression of novel aptamers into the clinic and makes the business around aptamers challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Tomás Rozenblum
- a Departamento de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas , Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico, CEBBAD - Universidad Maimónides , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Vanina Gisela Lopez
- a Departamento de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas , Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico, CEBBAD - Universidad Maimónides , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Alfredo Daniel Vitullo
- a Departamento de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas , Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico, CEBBAD - Universidad Maimónides , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Martín Radrizzani
- b Laboratorio de Neuro y Citogenética Molecular , Centro de Estudios de Salud y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET , Buenos Aires , Argentina
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Sun H, Zu Y. Aptamers and their applications in nanomedicine. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2015; 11:2352-64. [PMID: 25677591 PMCID: PMC4441590 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201403073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are composed of short RNA or single-stranded DNA sequences that, when folded into their unique 3D conformation, can bind to their targets with high specificity and affinity. Although functionally similar to protein antibodies, oligonucleotide aptamers offer several advantages over protein antibodies in biomedical and clinical applications. Through the enhanced permeability and retention effect, nanomedicines can improve the therapeutic index of a treatment and reduce side effects by enhancing accumulation at the disease site. However, this targets tumors passively and, thus, may not be ideal for targeted therapy. To construct ligand-directed "active targeting" nanobased delivery systems, aptamer-equipped nanomedicines have been tested for in vitro diagnosis, in vivo imaging, targeted cancer therapy, theranostic approaches, sub-cellular molecule detection, food safety, and environmental monitoring. This review focuses on the development of aptamer-conjugated nanomedicines and their application for in vivo imaging, targeted therapy, and theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youli Zu
- Corresponding authors: Youli Zu, MD, PhD.
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30
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Human Papillomavirus Vaccine. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2015; 101:231-322. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Sun H, Zhu X, Lu PY, Rosato RR, Tan W, Zu Y. Oligonucleotide aptamers: new tools for targeted cancer therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2014; 3:e182. [PMID: 25093706 PMCID: PMC4221593 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2014.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are a class of small nucleic acid ligands that are composed of RNA or single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides and have high specificity and affinity for their targets. Similar to antibodies, aptamers interact with their targets by recognizing a specific three-dimensional structure and are thus termed “chemical antibodies.” In contrast to protein antibodies, aptamers offer unique chemical and biological characteristics based on their oligonucleotide properties. Hence, they are more suitable for the development of novel clinical applications. Aptamer technology has been widely investigated in various biomedical fields for biomarker discovery, in vitro diagnosis, in vivo imaging, and targeted therapy. This review will discuss the potential applications of aptamer technology as a new tool for targeted cancer therapy with emphasis on the development of aptamers that are able to specifically target cell surface biomarkers. Additionally, we will describe several approaches for the use of aptamers in targeted therapeutics, including aptamer-drug conjugation, aptamer-nanoparticle conjugation, aptamer-mediated targeted gene therapy, aptamer-mediated immunotherapy, and aptamer-mediated biotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongguang Sun
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xun Zhu
- Department of Immunology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | | | - Roberto R Rosato
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youli Zu
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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Belyaeva TA, Nicol C, Cesur O, Travé G, Blair GE, Stonehouse NJ. An RNA Aptamer Targets the PDZ-Binding Motif of the HPV16 E6 Oncoprotein. Cancers (Basel) 2014; 6:1553-69. [PMID: 25062098 PMCID: PMC4190555 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6031553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is a high-risk DNA tumour virus which is the primary causative agent of cervical cancer. Cell transformation arises from deregulated expression of the E6 and E7 oncogenes. E6 has been shown to bind a number of cellular proteins, including p53 and proteins containing a PDZ domain. This study reports the first RNA aptamers to E6. These have been employed as molecular tools to further investigate E6-p53 and E6-PDZ interactions. This study is focussed on two aptamers (termed F2 and F4) which induced apoptosis in cells derived from an HPV16-transformed cervical carcinoma. The molecules were able to inhibit the interaction between E6 and PDZ1 from Magi1, with F2 being the most effective inhibitor. Neither of the aptamers inhibited E6-p53 interaction or p53 degradation. This study shows the specificity of this approach and highlights the potential benefits of the E6 aptamers as potential therapeutic or diagnostic agents in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara A Belyaeva
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Clare Nicol
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Ozlem Cesur
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Gilles Travé
- UMR 7242 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie, Boulevard Sébastien Brant, Illkirch 67412, France.
| | - George Eric Blair
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Nicola J Stonehouse
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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