Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Self-assembly of DNA nanogels with endogenous microRNA toehold self-regulating switches for targeted gene regulation therapy

Joint event on 17^th International Conference on Gynecology, Obstetrics and Womens Health & 8^th International Conference on Mental Health and Psychiatry

September 20-21, 2023 Paris, France

Jiaqi Yan

Abo Akademi University, Finland

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Women's Health Care

Abstract :

Nine incurable Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases with neurodegenerative characteristics are mediated by repeated amplification of CAG. RNA-cleaving therapeutic DNAzymes hold the function of recognizing and silencing specific gene sequences. Therefore, DNAzymes based on repeated CAG cleavage can improve cell viability without affecting mitochondrial metabolism. However, DNAzymes lack BBB penetration ability, and metal cofactor is also needed. In terms of BBB transport routes, transferrin receptor (TfR)-mediated transcytosis has been commonly used in BBB investigations, as TfRs are relatively abundant on the endothelial cells of BBB. Hence, combining DNAzymes with aptamers which can recognizing TfR specifically, have been generated and presented efficient ability to penetrate BBB. Moreover, Zn2+ cofactor with DNAzymes can be fabricated as nanohybridize nanomachine for efficient cofactor supplement and gene interference. In summary, we have successfully developed DNAzymes that can target poly-Q diseases and combined them with transferrin aptamers. Realize that a single sequence has multiple functions such as targeting, gene regulation, and imaging. At the same time, the ability of metal ions to selfassemble with DNA sequences into nano-preparations was verified. The nanocarrier is expected to address current braintargeted disease treatments. More theories need to be further verified.

Biography :

Jiaqi Yan received his bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutics from the Shenyang Pharmaceutical University. He performed his master diploma at the Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, China, and master thesis work in the Abo Akademi University, Finland. Afterward, he started his Ph.D. in the field of DNA Nanotechnology in the group of Prof. Hongbo Zhang in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Abo Akademi University. His work focuses on the development of DNAzyme-based functional DNA materials for cancer therapy.