Title:Aptamer-Targeted Oligonucleotide Theranostics: A Smarter Approach for Brain Delivery and the Treatment of Neurological Diseases
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 12
Author(s):Bhasker Sriramoju, Rupinder Kanwar, Rakesh N. Veedu and Jagat R. Kanwar
Affiliation:Nanomedicine-Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biomedical Research (NLIMBR), School of Medicine (SoM), Molecular and Medical Research (MMR) Strategic Research Centre, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP), Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Victoria 3217. Australia.
Keywords:Aptamers, Blood brain barrier, Nano-aptamer conjugation, Neurological diseases, Pharmacokinetics, SELEX.
Abstract:Aptamers represent the novel class of oligonucleotides holding multiple applications in the
area of biomedicine. The advancements introduced with the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential
enrichment (SELEX) approach further eased the scope of producing modified aptamers
within a short span yet retaining the properties of stability and applicability. In the recent times, aptamers
were identified to have the potential for penetrating into the deep human crevices and thus can be utilized in addressing
the issues of complex neurological disorders. Considering the specificity and stability enhancement by chemical
modifications, aptamer-based nanotechnologies may have great potential for future therapeutics and diagnostics (theranostics).
The research community has already witnessed success with the approval of macugen (an anti-vascular endothelial
growth factor aptamer) for treating degenerating eye disease, and hopefully those that are in the clinical trials will soon be
translated for human application. Herein, we have summarized the aptamer chemistry, aptamer-nanoconjugates and their
applications against neurological diseases.
