Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Author Spotlight: RNA FISH for Locating lncRNA-SNHG6 in Osteosarcoma Cells
Published on: June 16, 2023
Identification of a novel molecular probe for recognition of human osteosarcoma cell using the cell-SELEX method
1Department of Orthopaedics, Associated Hospital, Beihua University Jilin, China.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in adolescents and young adults. The lack of specific probes for human osteosarcoma hinders the early diagnosis and treatment of metastatic disease. In the present study, we have designed a novel aptamer using the cell-based Systematic Evolution of Ligands Exponential Enrichment (cell-SELEX) technique that specifically recognizes the U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cell line. Candidate aptamer families were identified through nine rounds of selection followed by sequence analysis and fluorescent labeling in addition to specific binding to U-2 OS cells. We identified one aptamer that showed high affinity and specificity to target cells, but did not recognize non-osteosarcoma negative control tumor cell lines. Moreover, we show that the selected aptamer can effectively be used as a molecular probe for specific recognition of clinical osteosarcoma samples. The generation of aptamer libraries can be used not only for the specific diagnosis of osteosarcoma, but also to build a platform for developing probe-carrier-antitumor drugs complexes and targeted therapies for osteosarcoma.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel aptamer probe for early osteosarcoma diagnosis. This molecular probe specifically targets osteosarcoma cells, aiding in early detection and potential targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma is a prevalent bone cancer in young individuals.
- Effective diagnostic tools for early detection and treatment of metastatic osteosarcoma are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and validate a novel aptamer for specific human osteosarcoma cell recognition.
- To explore the potential of aptamers as molecular probes for osteosarcoma diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cell-based Systematic Evolution of Ligands Exponential Enrichment (cell-SELEX) for aptamer selection.
- Performed sequence analysis, fluorescent labeling, and binding assays to identify specific aptamers.
- Validated aptamer specificity against U-2 OS cells and non-osteosarcoma cell lines.
- Tested aptamer efficacy on clinical osteosarcoma samples.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated and identified a high-affinity, specific aptamer targeting U-2 OS osteosarcoma cells.
- The selected aptamer demonstrated no cross-reactivity with non-osteosarcoma cell lines.
- The aptamer effectively recognized clinical osteosarcoma samples, confirming its diagnostic potential.
- The study highlights aptamers as a platform for developing targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- A novel aptamer has been developed for the specific detection of osteosarcoma.
- This aptamer serves as a potential molecular probe for early diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies.
- Aptamer technology offers a promising avenue for advancing osteosarcoma diagnostics and therapeutics.
