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Systematic design and evaluation of aptamers for VEGF and PlGF biomarkers of Preeclampsia
Samavath Mallawarachchi1, Rümeysa E Cebecioglu2,3, Majed Althumayri4,5
1Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
Insights
Novel aptamers targeting VEGF and PlGF offer a promising molecular diagnostic approach for early preeclampsia detection. These aptamers show high affinity, potentially enabling cost-effective point-of-care tools for improved maternal and fetal health.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Preeclampsia poses significant risks to maternal and fetal well-being.
- Current diagnostic methods often rely on late-stage symptoms, necessitating earlier detection strategies.
- Molecular diagnostics are crucial for timely preeclampsia identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate novel aptamers with high specificity and affinity for preeclampsia biomarkers.
- To assess the potential of these aptamers for early preeclampsia diagnosis.
- To explore the integration of aptamers into point-of-care diagnostic tools.
Main Methods:
- Aptamer design and selection.
- Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.
- Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) for binding affinity assessment.
Main Results:
- Novel aptamers demonstrated high specificity and affinity for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Placental Growth Factor (PlGF).
- Binding affinities were found to be comparable or superior to traditional antibodies.
- The aptamers showed robust performance in binding assays.
Conclusions:
- Developed aptamers are potential candidates for early preeclampsia detection.
- These aptamers could be integrated into cost-effective, point-of-care diagnostic devices.
- This advancement promises improved maternal and fetal health outcomes through timely intervention.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening condition for both mother and baby, characterized by hypertension and potential organ damage. Early diagnosis is crucial to mitigate its adverse health effects. Traditional diagnostic methods, which focus on late-manifesting symptoms like hypertension and proteinuria, underscore the need for molecular diagnostic approaches for timely detection. This study successfully designs and evaluates novel aptamers with high specificity and affinity for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Placental Growth Factor (PlGF), biomarkers closely associated with preeclampsia. Using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and BioLayer Interferometry (BLI), we identified aptamers that demonstrated strong binding affinities, comparable or superior to traditional antibodies. Our findings suggest that these aptamers have the potential to be integrated into cost-effective, point-of-care diagnostic tools, significantly improving early detection and intervention strategies for preeclampsia. The robust performance of these aptamers marks a pivotal step toward the development of more reliable and accessible diagnostic solutions, with implications for better maternal and fetal health outcomes.
