Journal
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
Volume 10, Issue 11, Pages -Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001826
Keywords
anticoagulants; aptamers; direct thrombin inhibitors; nucleic acids; reversal agents; RNA nanotechnology; RNA origami
Funding
- NSF [IRES-1559077, BMAT-1709010, BME-1603179]
- North Carolina Biotechnology Center [NCBC-2019-FLG-3807]
- American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship [18PRE33990338]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The RNA origami platform displaying RNA aptamers shows improved anticoagulation activity compared to free aptamers, with the ability for immediate thrombin inhibition switch-off by specific reversal agents. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and single-stranded peptide nucleic acid (PNA) antidotes can restore coagulation activity, indicating the potential for practical, long-term storage for clinical use. RNA origami-based molecules demonstrate promise as safer alternatives with rapid activity switching compared to current commercial intravenous anticoagulants.
Anticoagulants are commonly utilized during surgeries and to treat thrombotic diseases like stroke and deep vein thrombosis. However, conventional anticoagulants have serious side-effects, narrow therapeutic windows, and lack safe reversal agents (antidotes). Here, an alternative RNA origami displaying RNA aptamers as target-specific anticoagulant is described. Improved design and construction techniques for self-folding, single-molecule RNA origami as a platform for displaying pre-selected RNA aptamers with precise orientational and spatial control are reported. Nuclease resistance is added using 2 '-fluoro-modified pyrimidines during in vitro transcription. When four aptamers are displayed on the RNA origami platform, the measured thrombin inhibition and anticoagulation activity is higher than observed for free aptamers, ssRNA-linked RNA aptamers, and RNA origami displaying fewer aptamers. Importantly, thrombin inhibition is immediately switched off by addition of specific reversal agents. Results for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and single-stranded peptide nucleic acid (PNA) antidotes show restoration of 63% and 95% coagulation activity, respectively. To demonstrate potential for practical, long-term storage for clinical use, RNA origami is freeze-dried, and stored at room temperature. Freshly produced and freeze-dried RNA show identical levels of activity in coagulation assays. Compared to current commercial intravenous anticoagulants, RNA origami-based molecules show promise as safer alternatives with rapid activity switching for future therapeutic applications.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available