Background: IL-6 signaling is a key component of inflammatory diseases.Results: Modified DNA aptamers that inhibit IL-6 signaling were discovered and optimized.Conclusion: Modified aptamers are stable in serum and block the interaction of IL-6 with its receptor IL-6Rα.Significance: Modified aptamers are a new class of antagonist with properties potentially suitable for clinical treatment of inflammation.

No abstract

Background: Traditional aptamers favor polar interactions with protein binding partners.Results: The IL-6·SOMAmer structure reveals an interface rich in hydrophobic interactions that overlap the binding sites of IL-6 receptors.Conclusion: Hydrophobic modifications on DNA scaffolds generate diverse and novel structural motifs.Significance: Synthetic SOMAmers are potent, specific, and chemically versatile ligands with distinct binding properties compared with conventional aptamers.

The current study suggested that OPB is beneficial for the reduction of serum AGE and the prevention of diabetic neuropathy.