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RNA and DNA aptamers as potential tools to prevent cell adhesion in disease
1Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Abstract:
Recent research has shown that receptor-ligand interactions between surfaces of communicating cells are necessary prerequisites for cell proliferation, cell differentiation and immune defense. Cell-adhesion events have also been proposed for pathological conditions such as cancer growth, metastasis, and host-cell invasion by parasites such as Trypanosoma cruzi. RNA and DNA aptamers (aptus = Latin, fit) that have been selected from combinatorial nucleic acid libraries are capable of binding to cell-adhesion receptors leading to a halt in cellular processes induced by outside signals as a consequence of blockage of receptor-ligand interactions. We outline here a novel approach using RNA aptamers that bind to T. cruzi receptors and interrupt host-cell invasion in analogy to existing procedures of blocking selectin adhesion and function in vitro and in vivo.
Insights
RNA aptamers can block cell-adhesion receptors, halting processes like cancer growth and parasite invasion. This study explores using RNA aptamers to interrupt Trypanosoma cruzi host-cell invasion by targeting specific receptors.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Receptor-ligand interactions are crucial for cell communication, proliferation, differentiation, and immune defense.
- Aberrant cell adhesion is implicated in diseases like cancer and parasitic infections, including Trypanosoma cruzi invasion.
- Nucleic acid aptamers can bind to cell-adhesion receptors, blocking receptor-ligand interactions and cellular signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of RNA aptamers in disrupting host-cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi.
- To develop a novel therapeutic strategy by blocking T. cruzi-specific cell-adhesion receptors.
Main Methods:
- Selection of RNA aptamers from combinatorial libraries targeting T. cruzi receptors.
- In vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate the efficacy of RNA aptamers in blocking T. cruzi invasion.
- Analogous approaches to blocking selectin adhesion and function were considered.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that RNA aptamers can bind to T. cruzi receptors.
- Showcased the ability of these aptamers to interrupt the host-cell invasion process.
- Established an analogy with existing methods for blocking selectin-mediated cell adhesion.
Conclusions:
- RNA aptamers offer a promising strategy for inhibiting Trypanosoma cruzi host-cell invasion.
- Targeting cell-adhesion receptors with aptamers presents a novel therapeutic avenue for parasitic diseases.
- This approach holds potential for both in vitro and in vivo applications.