Selecting DNA Aptamers Against Airway Mucin Proteins for Therapeutics and Diagnostics

Abstract

Mucus is a viscous bodily fluid composed of mucin proteins, inorganic salts, and water. Standard airway mucus is composed of two different Mucin proteins: MUC5AC and MUC5B. Elevated levels of MUC5AC protein in airway mucus can indicate diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments for mucus-associated respiratory diseases include the use of enzymes and chemical agents to clear mucus buildup. These existing treatments are limited in their ability to selectively target specific mucin proteins within mucus. Our research aims to select DNA aptamers that bind to MUC5AC within mucus samples for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. We demonstrated the ability to conduct aptamer selections utilizing a One-Pot in vitro selection methodology in which the MUC5AC protein is immobilized on the walls of PCR tubes. We are optimizing gel-shift assays to assess the binding affinity of our potential aptamer candidates. We aim to identify DNA aptamers with strong affinity and specificity for airway mucin proteins to support therapeutic strategies that deliver engineered proteases to cleave them.