Generation of cytotoxic aptamers specifically targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes by CSCT-SELEX for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by aggressive fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). Very few RA patients-derived FLSs (RA-FLSs)-specific surface signatures have been identified, and there is currently no approved targeted therapy for RA-FLSs. This study aimed to screen therapeutic Aptamers with cell-targeting and cytotoxic properties against RA-FLSs and to uncover the molecular targets and mechanism of action of the screened Aptamers.

Methods: We developed a cell-specific and cytotoxic systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (CSCT-SELEX) method to screen the therapeutic Aptamers without prior knowledge of the surface signatures of RA-FLSs. The molecular targets and mechanisms of action of the screened Aptamers were determined by pull-down assays and RNA Sequencing. The therapeutic efficacy of the screened Aptamers was examined in arthritic mouse models.

Results: We obtained an aptamer SAPT8 that selectively recognised and killed RA-FLSs. The molecular target of SAPT8 was nucleolin (NCL), a shuttling protein overexpressed on the surface and involved in the tumor-like transformation of RA-FLSs. Mechanistically, SAPT8 interacted with the surface NCL and was internalised to achieve lysosomal degradation of NCL, leading to the upregulation of proapoptotic p53 and downregulation of antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in RA-FLSs. When administrated systemically to arthritic mice, SAPT8 accumulated in the inflamed FLSs of joints. SAPT8 monotherapy or its combination with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-targeted biologics was shown to relieve arthritis in mouse models.

Conclusions: CSCT-SELEX could be a promising strategy for developing cell-targeting and cytotoxic Aptamers. SAPT8 aptamer selectively ablates RA-FLSs via modulating NCL-p53/Bcl-2 signalling, representing a potential alternative or complementary therapy for RA.