1
|
Li K, Zhang Q. Eliminating the HIV tissue reservoir: current strategies and challenges. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024; 56:165-182. [PMID: 38149977 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2023.2298450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still one of the most widespread and harmful infectious diseases in the world. The presence of reservoirs housing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents a significant impediment to the development of clinically applicable treatments on a large scale. The viral load in the blood can be effectively reduced to undetectable levels through antiretroviral therapy (ART), and a higher concentration of HIV is sequestered in various tissues throughout the body, forming the tissue reservoir - the source of viremia after interruption treatment. METHODS We take the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) as a guideline for this review. In June 2023, we used the Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus databases to search the relevant literature published in the last decade. RESULTS Here we review the current strategies and treatments for eliminating the HIV tissue reservoirs: early and intensive therapy, gene therapy (including ribozyme, RNA interference, RNA aptamer, zinc finger enzyme, transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)), 'Shock and Kill', 'Block and lock', immunotherapy (including therapeutic vaccines, broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T)), and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). CONCLUSION The existence of an HIV reservoir is the main obstacle to the complete cure of AIDS. Choosing the appropriate strategy to deplete the HIV reservoir and achieve a functional cure for AIDS is the focus and difficulty of current research. So far, there has been a lot of research and progress in reducing the HIV reservoir, but in general, the current research is still very preliminary. Much research is still needed to properly assess the reliability, effectiveness, and necessity of these strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kangpeng Li
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Malicki S, Książek M, Sochaj Gregorczyk A, Kamińska M, Golda A, Chruścicka B, Mizgalska D, Potempa J, Marti HP, Kozieł J, Wieczorek M, Pieczykolan J, Mydel P, Dubin G. Identification and characterization of aptameric inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104889. [PMID: 37286041 PMCID: PMC10359491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays a pivotal role in innate immunity, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. Aberrant proteolytic activity of HNE contributes to organ destruction in various chronic inflammatory diseases including emphysema, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Therefore, elastase inhibitors could alleviate the progression of these disorders. Here, we used the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment to develop ssDNA aptamers that specifically target HNE. We determined the specificity of the designed inhibitors and their inhibitory efficacy against HNE using biochemical and in vitro methods, including an assay of neutrophil activity. Our aptamers inhibit the elastinolytic activity of HNE with nanomolar potency and are highly specific for HNE and do not target other tested human proteases. As such, this study provides lead compounds suitable for the evaluation of their tissue-protective potential in animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Malicki
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Mirosław Książek
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Alicja Sochaj Gregorczyk
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Kamińska
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anna Golda
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Barbara Chruścicka
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Danuta Mizgalska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jan Potempa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Oral Immunity and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Marti
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Joanna Kozieł
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej Wieczorek
- Innovative Drugs R&D Department, Celon Pharma Inc, Lomianki, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Mydel
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Broegelmann Research Laboratory, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Protein Crystallography Research, Group Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aptamers targeting SARS-COV-2: a promising tool to fight against COVID-19. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:528-544. [PMID: 35995601 PMCID: PMC9340053 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, remains among the main causes of global mortality. Although antigen/antibody-based immunoassays and neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 have been successfully developed over the past 2 years, they are often inefficient and unreliable for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Novel approaches against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants are therefore urgently needed. Aptamers have been developed for the detection and inhibition of several different viruses such as HIV, influenza viruses, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV. Aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 represent a promising tool in the fight against COVID-19, which is of paramount importance for the current and any future pandemics. This review presents recent advances and future trends in the development of aptamer-based approaches for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen J, Li Y, Liu Z. Functional nucleic acids as potent therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infection. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2023; 4:101249. [PMID: 36714073 PMCID: PMC9869493 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a severe threat to human life and the global economy. Although conventional treatments, including vaccines, antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors, have been broadly developed, they usually fall behind the constant mutation of SARS-CoV-2, due to the long screening process and high production cost. Functional nucleic acid (FNA)-based therapeutics are a newly emerging promising means against COVID-19, considering their timely adaption to different mutants and easy design for broad-spectrum virus inhibition. In this review, we survey typical FNA-related therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infection, including aptamers, aptamer-integrated DNA frameworks, functional RNA, and CRISPR-Cas technology. We first introduce the pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, then analyze the existing therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, including their pros and cons. Subsequently, the FNAs are recommended as potent alternative therapeutics from their screening process and controllable engineering to effective neutralization. Finally, we put forward the remaining challenges of the existing field and sketch out the future development directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingran Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen MJ, Gatignol A, Scarborough RJ. The discovery and development of RNA-based therapies for treatment of HIV-1 infection. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:163-179. [PMID: 36004505 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2117296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long-term control of HIV-1 infection can potentially be achieved using autologous stem cell transplants with gene-modified cells. Non-coding RNAs represent a diverse class of therapeutic agents including ribozymes, RNA aptamers and decoys, small interfering RNAs, short hairpin RNAs, and U1 interference RNAs that can be designed to inhibit HIV-1 replication. They have been engineered for delivery as drugs to complement current HIV-1 therapies and as gene therapies for a potential HIV-1 functional cure. AREAS COVERED This review surveys the past three decades of development of these RNA technologies with a focus on their efficacy and safety for treating HIV-1 infections. We describe the mechanisms of each RNA-based agent, targets they have been developed against, efforts to enhance their stability and efficacy, and we evaluate their performance in past and ongoing preclinical and clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION RNA-based technologies are among the top candidates for gene therapies where they can be stably expressed for long-term suppression of HIV-1. Advances in both gene and drug delivery strategies and improvements to non-coding RNA stability and antiviral properties will cooperatively drive forward progress in improving drug therapy and engineering HIV-1 resistant cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Chen
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Anne Gatignol
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert J Scarborough
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The concentrations of specific macromolecular species can be quantified using diagnostic tools that rely on molecular recognition by nucleic acid aptamers. One such approach involves the formation of osmium tetroxide 2,2'-bipyridine protein adducts, followed by electrochemical detection of analytes that bind specifically to electrode-tethered aptamers. In conjunction with a 27-mer DNA aptamer that binds specifically to exosite II on human alpha thrombin, this technique permits, in theory, a highly sensitive diagnostic tool for the quantification of serum thrombin levels. However, thrombin's aptamer binding site is lined by two tryptophan residues and the conjugation of bulky osmium groups to these residues weakens aptamer binding by an estimated 4 to 12 kcal/mol, undermining detection sensitivity. Therefore, we have rationally modified this DNA aptamer to strengthen its thrombin binding in the presence of conjugated osmium. Specifically, aptamers carrying long hydrophobic thymine derivatives in place of guanine 21 have binding affinities for osmium-conjugated thrombin that are enhanced by 10 to 15 kcal/mol, suggesting that these modified aptamers may be effective in a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the quantification of low concentrations of thrombin. Our approach of using molecular simulation to subtly re-engineer a DNA aptamer may be generally applicable for the optimization of other macromolecular binding interfaces.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loan Huynh
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Alan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Serumula W, Nkambule B, Parboosing R. Novel Aptamers for the Reactivation of Latent HIV. Curr HIV Res 2023; 21:279-289. [PMID: 37881079 DOI: 10.2174/011570162x248488230926045852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A "Shock and Kill" strategy has been proposed to eradicate the HIV latent viral reservoir. Effective Latency Reversal Agents (LRA) are a key requirement for this strategy. The search for LRAs with a novel mechanism of action is ongoing. This is the first study to propose aptamers for the reactivation of HIV. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify an aptamer that potentially reactivates HIV via the NF-κβ pathway, specifically by binding to IkB and releasing NF-κβ. METHODS Aptamer selection was performed at Aptus Biotech (www.aptusbiotech.es), using ikB human recombinant protein with His tag bound to Ni-NTA agarose resin using the SELEX procedure. Activation of NF-κβ was measured by SEAP Assay. HIV reactivation was measured in JLat cells using a BD FACS-Canto™ II flow cytometer. All flow cytometry data were analyzed using Kaluza analyzing software. RESULTS Clones that had equivalent or greater activation than the positive control in the SEAP assay were regarded as potential reactivators of the NF-κβ pathway and were sequenced. The three ikb clones namely R6-1F, R6-2F, and R6-3F were found to potentially activate the NF-κβ pathway. Toxicity was determined by exposing lymphocytes to serial dilutions of the aptamers; the highest concentration of the aptamers that did not decrease viability by > 20% was used for the reactivation experiments. The three novel aptamers R6-1F, R6-2F, and R6-3F resulted in 4,07%, 6,72% and 3,42% HIV reactivation, respectively, while the untreated control showed minimal (<0.18%) fluorescence detection. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the reactivation of latent HIV by aptamers that act via the NF-κβ pathway. Although the effect was modest and unlikely to be of clinical benefit, future studies are warranted to explore ways of enhancing reactivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Serumula
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service/University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban4091, South Africa
| | - Bongani Nkambule
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences (SLMMS), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Raveen Parboosing
- National Health Laboratory Service/University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Serumula W, Fernandez G, Gonzalez VM, Parboosing R. Anti-HIV Aptamers: Challenges and Prospects. Curr HIV Res 2022; 20:7-19. [PMID: 34503417 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x19666210908114825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection continues to be a significant health burden in many countries around the world. Current HIV treatment through a combination of different antiretroviral drugs (cART) effectively suppresses viral replication, but drug resistance and crossresistance are significant challenges. This has prompted the search for novel targets and agents, such as nucleic acid aptamers. Nucleic acid aptamers are oligonucleotides that attach to the target sites with high affinity and specificity. This review provides a target-by-target account of research into anti-HIV aptamers and summarises the challenges and prospects of this therapeutic strategy, specifically in the unique context of HIV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Serumula
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa
| | - Geronimo Fernandez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Aptus Biotech SL, Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria, 298-28035 Madrid. Spain
| | - Victor M Gonzalez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raveen Parboosing
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen XF, Zhao X, Yang Z. Aptamer-Based Antibacterial and Antiviral Therapy against Infectious Diseases. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17601-17626. [PMID: 34854680 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules selected in vitro that can bind to a broad range of targets with high affinity and specificity. As promising alternatives to conventional anti-infective agents, aptamers have gradually revealed their potential in the combat against infectious diseases. This article provides an overview on the state-of-art of aptamer-based antibacterial and antiviral therapeutic strategies. Diverse aptamers targeting pathogen-related components or whole pathogenic cells are summarized according to the species of microorganisms. These aptamers exhibited remarkable in vitro and/or in vivo inhibitory effect for pathogenic invasion, enzymatic activities, or viral replication, even for some highly drug-resistant strains and biofilms. Aptamer-mediated drug delivery and controlled drug release strategies are also included herein. Critical technical barriers of therapeutic aptamers are briefly discussed, followed by some future perspectives for their implementation into clinical utility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency Test for Dangerous Chemicals, Institute of Analysis, Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China National Analytical Center, Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510070, PR China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency Test for Dangerous Chemicals, Institute of Analysis, Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China National Analytical Center, Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510070, PR China
| | - Zifeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, PR China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, PR China.,Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 510005, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ajamgard M, Sardroodi JJ, Ebrahimzadeh AR, Kamelabad MR. Molecular dynamics simulation study of gold nanosheet as drug delivery vehicles for anti-HIV-1 aptamers. Comput Biol Chem 2021; 95:107595. [PMID: 34739903 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The adsorption process of three aptamers with gold nanosheet (GNS) as a drug carrier has been investigated with the help of molecular dynamics simulations. The sequencing of the considered aptamers are as (CUUCAUUGUAACUUCUCAUAAUUUCCCGAGGCUUUUACUUUCGGGGUCCU) and (CCGGGUCGUCCCCUACGGGGACUAAAGACUGUGUCCAACCGCCCUCGCCU) for AP1 and AP2, respectively. AP3 is a muted version of AP1 in which nucleotide positions 4, 6, 18, 28 and 39 have C4A, U6G, A18G, G28A, and U39C mutations. At positions 24, and 40, a deletion mutation is seen to eliminate U24 and U40 bases. These aptamers are inhibitors for HIV-1 protease and can be candidates as potential pharmaceutics for treatment of AIDS in the future. The interactions between considered aptamers and GNS have been analyzed in detail with help of structural and energetic properties. These analyses showed that all three aptamers could well adsorb on GNS. Overall, the final results show that the adsorption of AP2 on the GNS is more favorable than other considered ones and consequently GNS can be considered as a device in order to immobilize these aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Ajamgard
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MSL), Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Molecular Sciences and Engineering Research Group (MSERG), Iran
| | - Jaber Jahanbin Sardroodi
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MSL), Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Molecular Sciences and Engineering Research Group (MSERG), Iran.
| | - Alireza Rastkar Ebrahimzadeh
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MSL), Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Physics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Molecular Sciences and Engineering Research Group (MSERG), Iran
| | - Mahrokh Rezaei Kamelabad
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MSL), Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran; Molecular Sciences and Engineering Research Group (MSERG), Iran
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
|
12
|
|
13
|
Wan Q, Liu X, Zu Y. Oligonucleotide aptamers for pathogen detection and infectious disease control. Theranostics 2021; 11:9133-9161. [PMID: 34522231 PMCID: PMC8419047 DOI: 10.7150/thno.61804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During an epidemic or pandemic, the primary task is to rapidly develop precise diagnostic approaches and effective therapeutics. Oligonucleotide aptamer-based pathogen detection assays and control therapeutics are promising, as aptamers that specifically recognize and block pathogens can be quickly developed and produced through simple chemical synthesis. This work reviews common aptamer-based diagnostic techniques for communicable diseases and summarizes currently available aptamers that target various pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moreover, this review discusses how oligonucleotide aptamers might be leveraged to control pathogen propagation and improve host immune system responses. This review offers a comprehensive data source to the further develop aptamer-based diagnostics and therapeutics specific for infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Youli Zu
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
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.
Collapse
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:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Moranguinho I, Valente ST. Block-And-Lock: New Horizons for a Cure for HIV-1. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121443. [PMID: 33334019 PMCID: PMC7765451 DOI: 10.3390/v12121443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1/AIDS remains a global public health problem. The world health organization (WHO) reported at the end of 2019 that 38 million people were living with HIV-1 worldwide, of which only 67% were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite great success in the clinical management of HIV-1 infection, ART does not eliminate the virus from the host genome. Instead, HIV-1 remains latent as a viral reservoir in any tissue containing resting memory CD4+ T cells. The elimination of these residual proviruses that can reseed full-blown infection upon treatment interruption remains the major barrier towards curing HIV-1. Novel approaches have recently been developed to excise or disrupt the virus from the host cells (e.g., gene editing with the CRISPR-Cas system) to permanently shut off transcription of the virus (block-and-lock and RNA interference strategies), or to reactivate the virus from cell reservoirs so that it can be eliminated by the immune system or cytopathic effects (shock-and-kill strategy). Here, we will review each of these approaches, with the major focus placed on the block-and-lock strategy.
Collapse
|
16
|
Ning Y, Hu J, Lu F. Aptamers used for biosensors and targeted therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110902. [PMID: 33096353 PMCID: PMC7574901 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid sequences that can bind to target molecules with high selectivity and affinity. Most aptamers are screened in vitro by a combinatorial biology technique called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Since aptamers were discovered in the 1990s, they have attracted considerable attention and have been widely used in many fields owing to their unique advantages. In this review, we present an overview of the advancements made in aptamers used for biosensors and targeted therapy. For the former, we will discuss multiple aptamer-based biosensors with different principles detected by various signaling methods. For the latter, we will focus on aptamer-based targeted therapy using aptamers as both biotechnological tools for targeted drug delivery and as targeted therapeutic agents. Finally, challenges and new perspectives associated with these two regions were further discussed. We hope that this review will help researchers interested in aptamer-related biosensing and targeted therapy research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ning
- Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, PR China
| | - Jue Hu
- Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, PR China
| | - Fangguo Lu
- Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mohammadinezhad R, Jalali SAH, Farahmand H. Evaluation of different direct and indirect SELEX monitoring methods and implementation of melt-curve analysis for rapid discrimination of variant aptamer sequences. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2020; 12:3823-3835. [PMID: 32676627 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay00491j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX) is an iterative method for in vitro selection of aptamers from a random synthetic oligonucleotide library. Successful retrieving of aptamers by SELEX relies on optimization of various steps including target immobilization, aptamer partitioning, amplification, and ssDNA generation, which all require spending considerable effort and cost. Furthermore, due to the random nature of the initial library, SELEX may redirect toward the selection of low-affinity aptamers that are over-represented in the ssDNA population due to PCR bias. Thus, precise monitoring of the SELEX process is crucial to ensure the selection of target-specific aptamers. In the present study, we investigated the reliability and simplicity of different direct and indirect monitoring methods including UV-Vis spectroscopy, real-time PCR quantification and melt-curve analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA) for selection of DNA aptamers for a protein target. All the examined methods were capable of illustrating the gradual evolution of specific aptamers by the progression of SELEX and showed almost similar results regarding the identification of the enriched round of selection. Moreover, we describe the use of melt-curve analysis in the colony real-time PCR method as a simple, robust, and repeatable tool for pre-sequencing separation of distinct aptamer clones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rezvan Mohammadinezhad
- Research Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Aptamers in diagnosis and therapeutics against the antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms: recent trends and challenges. Bioanalysis 2020; 12:1111-1115. [PMID: 32757867 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2020-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
19
|
Ajamgard M, Sardroodi JJ, Ebrahimzadeh AR. A Molecular Dynamics Study of the Inhibition of Monomeric HIV‐1 Protease as An Alternative to Overcome Drug Resistance by RNA Aptamers as A Therapeutic Tool. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202000990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Ajamgard
- Department of ChemistryFaculty of Basic SciencesAzarbaijan Shahid Madani University Tabriz Iran
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
YU Q, LIU MZ, XIAO HH, YI Y, CHENG H, Putra DF, LI SQ, LI PF. Selection and Characterization of Aptamers for Specific Detection of Iridovirus Disease in Cultured Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus Fuscoguttatus♀ × E. Lanceolatus♂). CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(20)60021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
|
21
|
Computer-designed orthogonal RNA aptamers programmed to recognize Ebola virus glycoproteins. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
22
|
Pang KM, Castanotto D, Li H, Scherer L, Rossi JJ. Incorporation of aptamers in the terminal loop of shRNAs yields an effective and novel combinatorial targeting strategy. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e6. [PMID: 29077949 PMCID: PMC5758892 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy by engineering patient's own blood cells to confer HIV resistance can potentially lead to a functional cure for AIDS. Toward this goal, we have previously developed an anti-HIV lentivirus vector that deploys a combination of shRNA, ribozyme and RNA decoy. To further improve this therapeutic vector against viral escape, we sought an additional reagent to target HIV integrase. Here, we report the development of a new strategy for selection and expression of aptamer for gene therapy. We developed a SELEX protocol (multi-tag SELEX) for selecting RNA aptamers against proteins with low solubility or stability, such as integrase. More importantly, we expressed these aptamers in vivo by incorporating them in the terminal loop of shRNAs. This novel strategy allowed efficient expression of the shRNA–aptamer fusions that targeted RNAs and proteins simultaneously. Expressed shRNA–aptamer fusions targeting HIV integrase or reverse transcriptase inhibited HIV replication in cell cultures. Viral inhibition was further enhanced by combining an anti-integrase aptamer with an anti-HIV Tat-Rev shRNA. This construct exhibited efficacy comparable to that of integrase inhibitor Raltegravir. Our strategy for the selection and expression of RNA aptamers can potentially extend to other gene therapy applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ka Ming Pang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Daniela Castanotto
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Haitang Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lisa Scherer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - John J Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.,Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Small RNAs to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection by gene therapy. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 38:10-20. [PMID: 31112858 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current drug therapies for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection are effective in preventing progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome but do not eliminate the infection and are associated with unwanted side effects. A potential alternative is to modify the genome of patient cells via gene therapy to confer HIV resistance to these cells. Small RNAs are the largest and most diverse group of anti-HIV genes that have been developed for engineering HIV resistant cells. In this review, we summarize progress on the three major classes of anti-HIV RNAs including short hairpin RNAs that use the RNA interference pathway, RNA decoys and aptamers that bind specifically to a protein or RNA as well as ribozymes that mediate cleavage of specific targets. We also review methods used for the delivery of these genes into the genome of patient cells and provide some perspectives on the future of small RNAs in HIV therapy.
Collapse
|
24
|
Majerová T, Novotný P, Krýsová E, Konvalinka J. Exploiting the unique features of Zika and Dengue proteases for inhibitor design. Biochimie 2019; 166:132-141. [PMID: 31077760 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Zika and Dengue viruses have attracted substantial attention from researchers in light of recent outbreaks of Dengue fever and increases in cases of congenital microcephaly in areas with Zika incidence. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about Zika and Dengue proteases. These enzymes have several interesting features: 1) NS3 serine protease requires the activating co-factor NS2B, which is anchored in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum; 2) NS2B displays extensive conformational dynamics; 3) NS3 is a multidomain protein with proteolytic, NTPase, RNA 5' triphosphatase and helicase activity and has many protein-protein interaction partners; 4) NS3 is autoproteolytically released from its precursor. Attempts to design tight-binding and specific active-site inhibitors are complicated by the facts that the substrate pocket of the NS2B-NS3 protease is flat and the active-site ligands are charged. The ionic character of potential active-site inhibitors negatively influences their cell permeability. Possibilities to block cis-autoprocessing of the protease precursor have recently been considered. Additionally, potential allosteric sites on NS2B-NS3 proteases have been identified and allosteric compounds have been designed to impair substrate binding and/or block the NS2B-NS3 interaction. Such compounds could be specific to viral proteases, without off-target effects on host serine proteases, and could have favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. This review discusses various groups of inhibitors of these proteases according to their mechanisms of action and chemical structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taťána Majerová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Novotný
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12843, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Krýsová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12843, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12843, Prague, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Malicki S, Ksiazek M, Majewski P, Pecak A, Mydel P, Grudnik P, Dubin G. Development of a novel, high-affinity ssDNA trypsin inhibitor. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2019; 34:638-643. [PMID: 30727784 PMCID: PMC6366424 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2019.1569648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of serine proteases are not only extremely useful in the basic research but are also applied extensively in clinical settings. Using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) approach we developed a family of novel, single-stranded DNA aptamers capable of specific trypsin inhibition. Our most potent candidate (T24) and its short version (T59) were thoroughly characterised in terms of efficacy. T24 and T59 efficiently inhibited bovine trypsin with Ki of 176 nM and 475 nM, respectively. Interestingly, in contrast to the majority of known trypsin inhibitors, the selected aptamers have superior specificity and did not interact with porcine trypsin or any human proteases tested. These included plasmin and thrombin characterised by trypsin-like substrate specificity. Our results demonstrate that SELEX may be successfully employed in the development of potent and specific DNA based protease inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanislaw Malicki
- a Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology , Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland.,b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry , Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland
| | - Miroslaw Ksiazek
- a Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology , Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland.,b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry , Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland.,c Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases , University of Louisville School of Dentistry , Kentucky , USA
| | - Pawel Majewski
- b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry , Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland
| | - Aleksandra Pecak
- a Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology , Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland.,b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry , Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland
| | - Piotr Mydel
- b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry , Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland.,d Department of Clinical Science , Broegelmann Research Laboratory, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - Przemyslaw Grudnik
- a Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology , Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- a Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology , Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland.,b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry , Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University , Krakow , Poland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bayat P, Nosrati R, Alibolandi M, Rafatpanah H, Abnous K, Khedri M, Ramezani M. SELEX methods on the road to protein targeting with nucleic acid aptamers. Biochimie 2018; 154:132-155. [PMID: 30193856 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is an efficient method used to isolate high-affinity single stranded oligonucleotides from a large random sequence pool. These SELEX-derived oligonucleotides named aptamer, can be selected against a broad spectrum of target molecules including proteins, cells, microorganisms and chemical compounds. Like antibodies, aptamers have a great potential in interacting with and binding to their targets through structural recognition and are therefore called "chemical antibodies". However, aptamers offer advantages over antibodies including smaller size, better tissue penetration, higher thermal stability, lower immunogenicity, easier production, lower cost of synthesis and facilitated conjugation or modification with different functional moieties. Thus, aptamers represent an attractive substitution for protein antibodies in the fields of biomarker discovery, diagnosis, imaging and targeted therapy. Enormous interest in aptamer technology triggered the development of SELEX that has underwent numerous modifications since its introduction in 1990. This review will discuss the recent advances in SELEX methods and their advantages and limitations. Aptamer applications are also briefly outlined in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Payam Bayat
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Rahim Nosrati
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Houshang Rafatpanah
- Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khalil Abnous
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mostafa Khedri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ohuchi S, Suess B. Altered stoichiometry of an evolved RNA aptamer. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 24:480-485. [PMID: 29284756 PMCID: PMC5855949 DOI: 10.1261/rna.063610.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory aptamers against a protein are promising as antagonistic reagents and repressive genetic components. Typically, improvement of such aptamers is achieved by acquiring higher binding affinity. Here, we report an alternative mechanism for the improvement of aptamer activity. Recently, we reported a transcriptional activator based on an inhibitory RNA aptamer against lambda cI repressor. We improved the aptamer through in vitro selection (SELEX) from a randomly mutagenized aptamer pool, followed by in vivo screening and truncation. Biochemical analyses indicated that the activity improvement was achieved by alteration of the complex formation stoichiometry, rather than by higher affinity or expression. Our results suggest an alternative strategy for improving aptamer activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Ohuchi
- Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Beatrix Suess
- Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bala J, Chinnapaiyan S, Dutta RK, Unwalla H. Aptamers in HIV research diagnosis and therapy. RNA Biol 2018; 15:327-337. [PMID: 29431588 PMCID: PMC5927724 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2017.1414131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are high affinity single-stranded nucleic acid or protein ligands which exhibit specificity and avidity comparable to, or exceeding that of antibodies and can be generated against most targets. The functionality of aptamers is based on their unique tertiary structure, complexity and their ability to attain unique binding pockets by folding. Aptamers are selected in vitro by a process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX). The Kd values for the selected aptamer are often in the picomolar to low nanomolar range. Stable and nontoxic aptamers could be selected for a wide range of ligands including small molecules to large proteins. Aptamers have shown tremendous potential and have found multipurpose application in the field of therapeutic, diagnostic, biosensor and bio-imaging. While their mechanism of action can be similar to that of monoclonal antibodies, aptamers provide additional advantages in terms of production cost, simpler regulatory approval and lower immunogenicity as they are synthesized chemically. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the primary cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which causes significant morbidity and mortality with a significant consequent decrease in the quality of patient's lives. While cART has led to good viral control, people living with HIV now suffer from non-HIV comorbidities due to viral protein expression that cannot be controlled by cART. Hence pathophysiological mechanisms that govern these comorbidities with a focus on therapies that neutralize these HIV effects gained increased attention. Recent advances in HIV/AIDS research have identified several molecular targets and for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic using aptamers against HIV/AIDS. This review presents recent advances in aptamers technology for potential application in HIV diagnostics and therapeutics towards improving the quality of life of people living with HIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Bala
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Srinivasan Chinnapaiyan
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rajib Kumar Dutta
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hoshang Unwalla
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Scarborough RJ, Gatignol A. RNA Interference Therapies for an HIV-1 Functional Cure. Viruses 2017; 10:E8. [PMID: 29280961 PMCID: PMC5795421 DOI: 10.3390/v10010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 drug therapies can prevent disease progression but cannot eliminate HIV-1 viruses from an infected individual. While there is hope that elimination of HIV-1 can be achieved, several approaches to reach a functional cure (control of HIV-1 replication in the absence of drug therapy) are also under investigation. One of these approaches is the transplant of HIV-1 resistant cells expressing anti-HIV-1 RNAs, proteins or peptides. Small RNAs that use RNA interference pathways to target HIV-1 replication have emerged as competitive candidates for cell transplant therapy and have been included in all gene combinations that have so far entered clinical trials. Here, we review RNA interference pathways in mammalian cells and the design of therapeutic small RNAs that use these pathways to target pathogenic RNA sequences. Studies that have been performed to identify anti-HIV-1 RNA interference therapeutics are also reviewed and perspectives on their use in combination gene therapy to functionally cure HIV-1 infection are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Scarborough
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A0G4, Canada.
| | - Anne Gatignol
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A0G4, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A0G4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abe T, Miyakawa S, Nakamura Y. [Therapeutic aptamers]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2016; 147:362-7. [PMID: 27301311 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.147.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
32
|
Kimoto M, Nakamura M, Hirao I. Post-ExSELEX stabilization of an unnatural-base DNA aptamer targeting VEGF165 toward pharmaceutical applications. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:7487-94. [PMID: 27387284 PMCID: PMC5009754 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A new technology, genetic alphabet expansion using artificial bases (unnatural bases), has created high-affinity DNA ligands (aptamers) that specifically bind to target proteins by ExSELEX (genetic alphabet Expansion for Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). We recently found that the unnatural-base DNA aptamers can be stabilized against nucleases, by introducing an extraordinarily stable, unique hairpin DNA (mini-hairpin DNA) and by reinforcing the stem region with G–C pairs. Here, to establish this aptamer generation method, we examined the stabilization of a high-affinity anti-VEGF165 unnatural-base DNA aptamer. The stabilized aptamers displayed significantly increased thermal and nuclease stabilities, and furthermore, exhibited higher affinity to the target. As compared to the well-known anti-VEGF165 RNA aptamer, pegaptanib (Macugen), our aptamers did not require calcium ions for binding to VEGF165. Biological experiments using cultured cells revealed that our stabilized aptamers efficiently inhibited the interaction between VEGF165 and its receptor, with the same or slightly higher efficiency than that of the pegaptanib RNA aptamer. The development of cost-effective and calcium ion-independent high-affinity anti-VEGF165 DNA aptamers encourages further progress in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In addition, the stabilization process provided additional information about the key elements required for aptamer binding to VEGF165.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Kimoto
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #04-01, 138669, Singapore RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan TagCyx Biotechnologies, 1-6-126 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan PRESTO, JST, Honcho, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Mana Nakamura
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan Department of Medical Life Science, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ichiro Hirao
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #04-01, 138669, Singapore RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan TagCyx Biotechnologies, 1-6-126 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
A Highlight of Recent Advances in Aptamer Technology and Its Application. Molecules 2015; 20:11959-80. [PMID: 26133761 PMCID: PMC6331864 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200711959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers and SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) technology have gained increasing attention over the past 25 years. Despite their functional similarity to protein antibodies, oligonucleotide aptamers have many unique properties that are suitable for clinical applications and industrialization. Aptamers may be superior to antibodies in fields such as biomarker discovery, in vitro and in vivo diagnosis, precisely controlled drug release, and targeted therapy. However, aptamer commercialization has not occurred as quickly as expected, and few aptamer-based products have yet successfully entered clinical and industrial use. Thus, it is important to critically review some technical barriers of aptamer and SELEX technology per se that may impede aptamer development and application. To date, how to rapidly obtain aptamers with superior bioavailability over antibodies remains the key issue. In this review, we discuss different chemical and structural modification strategies aimed to enhance aptamer bioavailability. We also discuss improvements to SELEX process steps to shorten the selection period and improve the SELEX process success rate. Applications in which aptamers are particularly suited and perform differently or superior to antibodies are briefly introduced.
Collapse
|
34
|
Predicting the Uncertain Future of Aptamer-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Molecules 2015; 20:6866-87. [PMID: 25913927 PMCID: PMC6272696 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20046866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the great promise of nucleic acid aptamers in the areas of diagnostics and therapeutics for their facile in vitro development, lack of immunogenicity and other desirable properties, few truly successful aptamer-based products exist in the clinical or other markets. Core reasons for these commercial deficiencies probably stem from industrial commitment to antibodies including a huge financial investment in humanized monoclonal antibodies and a general ignorance about aptamers and their performance among the research and development community. Given the early failures of some strong commercial efforts to gain government approval and bring aptamer-based products to market, it may seem that aptamers are doomed to take a backseat to antibodies forever. However, the key advantages of aptamers over antibodies coupled with niche market needs that only aptamers can fill and more recent published data still point to a bright commercial future for aptamers in areas such as infectious disease and cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. As more researchers and entrepreneurs become familiar with aptamers, it seems inevitable that aptamers will at least be considered for expanded roles in diagnostics and therapeutics. This review also examines new aptamer modifications and attempts to predict new aptamer applications that could revolutionize biomedical technology in the future and lead to marketed products.
Collapse
|