title: Aptamers in immunological research.
abstract: In recent years aptamers, synthetic DNA or RNA single-chain oligonucleotides, have been used in various immunological studies to bind specific ligands. Detailed data on the interactions of an RNA aptamer with a human Fc fragment were obtained by X-ray crystallography. The complex formation involves multiple weak interactions that resemble protein-protein interactions. Aptamers specific to cell surface receptors may serve as antagonists or agonists blocking or stimulating cell activities. As aptamers can modify T-cell reactions, they could be useful in the treatment of chronic diseases such as autoimmune and oncological pathologies. In chimeras constructed for the delivery of active substances to defined targets, aptamers specific to surface proteins may be used to transport constructs directed to targets such as tumor cells. Aptamers are also employed as highly specific reagents in immunological assays after being labeled with reporter groups such as fluorescent dyes or following immobilization on insoluble carriers such as membranes or microspheres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel. Electronic address: roald.nezlin@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Roald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nezlin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
keywords: Aptamers; Aptamers in immunoassays; Complexes of aptamers with immunoglobulins; Modulation of immune reactions; Reactions of aptamers with cell receptors; Tumor immunology