Atherosclerosis, a major cause of mortality worldwide, involves an overgrowth of vascular smooth muscle cells in the blood vessels, constraining blood flow and potentially causing cardiovascular diseases. Against this backdrop, researchers from Shinshu University have developed a DNA aptamer called iSN04 that targets and counteracts with the protein nucleolin in . This anti-nucleolin aptamer helps maintain smooth muscle cells in a differentiated state, offering new treatment potential for atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.
Their findings were published on 15 June 2024 in Volume 14 of the journal . Ms. Mana Miyoshi, affiliated with the Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, contributed to the study as the first author.
Heart diseases and strokes are on the rise worldwide, with atherosclerosis being a leading contributor. Atherosclerosis involves the buildup of plaques—composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood—inside the arteries. Over time, this buildup can lead to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, restricting .
Notably, this condition involves vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the arterial walls. VSMCs can switch between a contractile state (ideal for blood vessel function) and a proliferative state (capable of contributing to plaque formation). During atherosclerosis, the switch from a contractile to a proliferative state can lead to plaque instability and r.