Potential application of aptamers combined with DNA nanoflowers in neurodegenerative diseases

• Published in: Ageing research reviews 2024-09, Vol.100, p.102444, Article 102444
• Main Authors: Hang, Zhongci, Zhou, Liping, Bian, Xiaochun, Liu, Guotao, Cui, Fenghe, Du, Hongwu, Wen, Yongqiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aptamer; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Directionally programmable; DNA - administration & dosage; DNA - genetics; DNA nanoflowers; Drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Early diagnosis; Humans; Nanostructures; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases - drug therapy; Neurodegenerative Diseases - genetics
• ISSN: 1568-1637; 1872-9649; 1872-9649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102444

The efficacy of neurotherapeutic drugs hinges on their ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier and access the brain, which is crucial for treating or alleviating neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Given the absence of definitive cures for NDs, early diagnosis and intervention become paramount in impeding disease progression. However, conventional therapeutic drugs and existing diagnostic approaches must meet clinical demands. Consequently, there is a pressing need to advance drug delivery systems and early diagnostic methods tailored for NDs. Certain aptamers endowed with specific functionalities find widespread utility in the targeted therapy and diagnosis of NDs. DNA nanoflowers (DNFs), distinctive flower-shaped DNA nanomaterials, are intricately self-assembled through rolling ring amplification (RCA) of circular DNA templates. Notably, imbuing DNFs with diverse functionalities becomes seamlessly achievable by integrating aptamer sequences with specific functions into RCA templates, resulting in a novel nanomaterial, aptamer-bound DNFs (ADNFs) that amalgamates the advantageous features of both components. This article delves into the characteristics and applications of aptamers and DNFs, exploring the potential or application of ADNFs in drug-targeted delivery, direct treatment, early diagnosis, etc. The objective is to offer prospective ideas for the clinical treatment or diagnosis of NDs, thereby contributing to the ongoing efforts in this critical field. •Aptamers are widely used in the treatment and diagnosis of NDs.•Aptamers can be encoded into RCA templates to obtain functionalized ADNFs.•ADNFs have excellent carrier capabilities and can be tuned for NDs.•ADNFs have potential as therapeutic and diagnostic agents for NDs.