Advances in Biotechnology and the Biosciences for Warfighter Performance and Protection: Anti-Aptamers for Revenom

摘要

This effort was focused on developing a novel, aptamer-based antivenin for treatment of envenomation by the Kurdistan Viper (Vipera raddei kurdistanica). The research was conducted to provide evidence to prove whether a synthetic, aptamer-based antivenin could be developed to treat snake envenomations in humans. Using PLA2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom as a simulant of the Kurdistan viper venom, two tissue culture cell lines were examined and developed for in vitro cell culture models. For each cell line, an LD50 value was determined post PLA2 exposure at various concentrations. Cytotoxicity activity was determined by utilizing an XTT colorimetric assay. DNA aptamers developed against the PLA2 were tested in these in vitro models, along with known PLA2 inhibitors. Inhibitors were tested for their effectiveness against these LD50 values for each cell line. However, in these assays, known LD50 values for PLA2 did not prove to be toxic to the cells themselves. Higher concentrations of PLA2, were also ineffective in killing cells the effectiveness of the inhibitor's ability to decrease PLA2 activity, thereby preventing toxicity to cells, could not be determined. Additionally, no determination was able to be made on the efficacy of the aptamers.