Aptamers targeting SARS-COV-2: a promising tool to fight against COVID-19. Issue 4 (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yang; Juhas, Mario; Kwok, Chun Kit
• Is Part Of: Trends in biotechnology. Volume 41:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 528
• Page End: 544
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: aptamer -- SELEX -- viral diseases -- SARS-CoV-2 -- diagnostics -- therapeutics; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biochemical engineering -- Periodicals; Genetic engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.07.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-7799

Abstract

Abstract : SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, remains among the main causes of global mortality. Although antigen/antibody-based immunoassays and neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 have been successfully developed over the past 2 years, they are often inefficient and unreliable for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Novel approaches against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants are therefore urgently needed. Aptamers have been developed for the detection and inhibition of several different viruses such as HIV, influenza viruses, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV. Aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 represent a promising tool in the fight against COVID-19, which is of paramount importance for the current and any future pandemics. This review presents recent advances and future trends in the development of aptamer-based approaches for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and treatment. Highlights: Aptamers have been successfully used for the diagnosis and therapy of a broad spectrum of pathogens including bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The wide application of aptamer-powered technologies in viral disease suggests that aptamer-based methods hold promise in combating SARS-CoV-2. Aptamer-based technologies have been recently developed for both the detection and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.