Aptamer-Based Therapeutics: New Approaches to Combat Human Viral Diseases

Abstract

Viruses replicate inside the cells of an organism and continuously evolve to contend with an ever-changing environment. Many life-threatening diseases, such as AIDS, SARS, hepatitis and some cancers, are caused by viruses. Because viruses have small genome sizes and high mutability, there is currently a lack of and an urgent need for effective treatment for many viral pathogens. One approach that has recently received much attention is aptamer-based therapeutics. Aptamer technology has high target specificity and versatility, i.e., any viral proteins could potentially be targeted. Consequently, new aptamer-based therapeutics have the potential to lead a revolution in the development of anti-infective drugs. Additionally, aptamers can potentially bind any targets and any pathogen that is theoretically amenable to rapid targeting, making aptamers invaluable tools for treating a wide range of diseases. This review will provide a broad, comprehensive overview of viral therapies that use aptamers. The aptamer selection process will be described, followed by an explanation of the potential for treating virus infection by aptamers. Recent progress and prospective use of aptamers against a large variety of human viruses, such as HIV-1, HCV, HBV, SCoV, Rabies virus, HPV, HSV and influenza virus, with particular focus on clinical development of aptamers will also be described. Finally, we will discuss the challenges of advancing antiviral aptamer therapeutics and prospects for future success.

Repression of the Internal Ribosome Entry Site-dependent Translation of Hepatitis C Virus by an Engineered PUF Protein

“…and/or disturb the interactions between IRES and 40S ribosomal subunit can prevent virus polyprotein translation. In addition to interfering RNAs (11), aptamers (12), and ribozymes (13), RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can be recruited in order to hamper these interactions.…”

“…PUM-HD consists of eight tandem repeats of about 36 amino acids (N-terminal repeat-1 to C-terminal repeat-8) ( Figure 1A), which run anti-parallel to RNA nucleotides from 3' A-8 to 5' U-1 ( Figure 1B) (12,13). Each repeat recognizes a specific RNA base with a relatively conserved simple code of specific amino acids in positions 12, 13, and 16 ( Figure 1C).…”

Aptamers against pathogenic microorganisms

“…Whereas several problem-oriented reviews discuss antibacterial or antiviral aptamers and their applications (Gedi & Kim, 2014; Ozalp et al, 2013; Shum et al, 2013; Zimbres et al, 2013), this review tends to systemize recent data concerning aptamers selected against viruses, bacteria, and unicellular parasites and their potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications.…”

Discovery and Characterization of a Novel CD4-Binding Adnectin with Potent Anti-HIV Activity

“…For instance, the anti-CCR5 antibody PRO 140 and the anti-CD4 antibody ibalizumab are MAbs targeted for therapy (49), while broadly neutralizing antibodies to gp120 are being developed for multiple uses (50,51). In addition to antibodies, a variety of peptides (52-54), aptamers (55)(56)(57), and alternative scaffolds (58) have also been explored for HIV-1 inhibition. In this study, we report on the discovery of the Adnectin 6940_B01 as a novel CD4-binding protein with potent and broad antiviral properties.…”