An Unbiased Cell-Culture Selection Yields DNA Aptamers as Novel Senescent Cell-Specific Reagents

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cellular senescence is a stable cell-cycle arrest linked to aging and disease.
• Current detection methods rely on multiple biomarkers, lacking universal specificity.
• There is a need for precise tools to identify senescent cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, senescent cell-specific DNA aptamers using an unbiased selection approach.
• To validate the specificity and target of these aptamers in vitro and in vivo.
• To establish new reagents for senescent cell detection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized unbiased cell culture selections to screen DNA aptamer libraries.
• Employed senescent and non-senescent mouse fibroblasts for aptamer selection.
• Validated aptamer specificity and identified molecular targets (fibronectin).

Main Results:

• Identified senescent cell-specific DNA aptamers from trillions of sequences.
• Demonstrated aptamer specificity for senescent mouse cells in culture.
• Showed increased aptamer staining in aged mouse tissues and decreased staining in specific models.

Conclusions:

• Unbiased cell-based selections are effective for discovering senescence-specific DNA reagents.
• Selected aptamers show promise as specific biomarkers for cellular senescence.
• This approach advances the tools available for studying senescence.