International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Research on Nucleic Acids: Therapeutic Potential and Applications”, will present a selection of original research, reviews, and commentaries focused on diverse topics in this field, with particular attention being paid to advancements in nucleic acid research at the molecular level. Nucleic acid therapeutics represent an innovative and challenging research field. Oligonucleotide (ON)-based therapy has become an alternative to classical approaches in the search for novel therapeutics involving gene-related diseases. Nucleic-acid-based drugs can be designed to modulate cellular pathways that are not readily druggable, and different nucleic acid chemical modifications can be optimally combined in the context of various targeting mechanisms, in order to circumvent the main pharmacokinetic restrictions for therapeutic ON applications. The wide versatility of the mechanism of action of ONs, combined with various designs and multiple choices of chemical modifications, provide the concept of ON targeting with vast potential. Clinically relevant applications and remaining challenges in this field are still numerous and exciting.

Dr. Veronica Esposito
Dr. Antonella Virgilio
Guest Editors

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

15 pages, 2800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA Aptamer Raised against Advanced Glycation End Products Improves Sperm Concentration, Motility, and Viability by Suppressing Receptors for Advanced Glycation End Product-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Testes of Diabetic Mice

by Yusaku Mori, Michishige Terasaki, Naoya Osaka, Tomoki Fujikawa, Hironori Yashima, Tomomi Saito, Yurie Kataoka, Makoto Ohara, Yuichiro Higashimoto, Takanori Matsui and Sho-ichi Yamagishi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5947; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115947 - 29 May 2024

Viewed by 212

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for male infertility, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are pathogenic molecules for diabetic vascular complications. Here, we investigated the effects of the DNA aptamer raised against AGEs (AGE-Apt) on testicular and sperm abnormalities in a T2DM mouse model. KK-Ay (DM) and wild-type (non-DM) 4- and 7-week-old male mice were sacrificed to collect the testes and spermatozoa for immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and histological analyses. DM and non-DM 7-week-old mice were subcutaneously infused with the AGE-Apt or control-aptamer for 6 weeks and were then sacrificed. Plasma glucose, testicular AGEs, and Rage gene expression in 4-week-old DM mice and plasma glucose, testicular AGEs, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory gene expressions in 7-week-old DM mice were higher than those in age-matched non-DM mice, the latter of which was associated with seminiferous tubular dilation. AGE-Apt did not affect glycemic parameters, but it inhibited seminiferous tubular dilation, reduced the number of testicular macrophages and apoptotic cells, and restored the decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and viability of 13-week-old DM mice. Our findings suggest that AGEs-Apt may improve sperm abnormality by suppressing AGE–RAGE-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the testes of DM mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Nucleic Acids: Therapeutic Potential and Applications, 2nd Edition)

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