Aptamer modulators of complement protein C3 and biologically active proteolytic products thereof

摘要

This invention relates to nucleic acid aptamers that recognize and bind the complement protein C3 or its biologically active proteolytic products and methods of their use. Particularly preferred are bi-functional aptamer construct that binding specifically with C3b or iC3b, and another target protein. Use of these molecular constructs for commandeering the opsonization process is also described herein.

主权项

1. A nucleic acid aptamer comprising:
a first domain that binds to a biologically active proteolytic product of complement protein C3 that is C3b, iC3b, or both thereof, wherein the first domain binds to a site on C3b or iC3b that is distinct of, respectively, a CR1 or CR3 receptor binding site on C3b or iC3b, wherein the first domain comprises a nucleotide sequence according to nucleotides 2-41 of SEQ ID NO: 9; and a second domain that binds to a molecule different from the biologically active proteolytic product of complement protein C3.