Identification and Engineering of Aptamers for Theranostic Application
in Human Health and Disorders
Abstract
Aptamer is short sequence of synthetic oligonucleotides which bind to
their cognate target specifically while maintaining similar or higher
sensitivity as antibody. Small size, chemical synthesis, low batch
variation, cost effectiveness, long shelf life and above all low
immunogenicity provide advantages over antibody. The in-vitro selection
of aptamer applying a conjoining approach of chemistry and molecular
biology is referred as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential
enrichment (SELEX). These initial products of SELEX are considered as
first generation aptamers, further modified chemically in an attempt to
make it stable in biofluid avoiding nuclease digestion and renal
clearance. These types of aptamers are called second generation
aptamers. While modification is incorporated, enough care should be
taken to maintain its sensitivity and specificity. These modifications
and several improvisations have widened the window frame of aptamer
application that is currently not only restricted to in-vitro system,
but have been used in molecular imaging for disease pathology and
treatment. In food industry it is used as sensor for detection of
different diseases or fungal infections. In this review we have
discussed a brief history of its journey, process of synthesis,
different types of modifications to improve its characters. We have also
focused on its applications and highlighted its role as therapeutic plus
diagnostic; theranostic tools. Finally, the review is concluded with a
brief discussion on future prospective in immunotherapy, as well as in
identification of novel biomarkers in stem cell, and also in single cell
proteomics (scProteomics) to study intra or intertumor heterogeneity at
protein level.