Affinity binding of aptamers to agarose with DNA tetrahedron for removal of hepatitis B virus surface antigen

Abstract DNA nanostructures are effective intermediates for immobilizing biomolecules because of their high level of controllability, the flexibility to create desired nanostructures through precision “bottom-up” assembly and the convenience to building fine nanostructures. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential use of aptamers bound to agarose through a DNA tetrahedral structure to make a novel type of immunosorbent for the removal of hepatitis B virus surface antigens. Our results show that the proposed immunosorbent exhibits favorable biocompatibility and specificity. Electrophoresis and confocal microscopy were used to confirm the formation of immunosorbents. The ARCHITECT HBsAg assay was performed to quantitatively measure hepatitis B surface antigen. The cytotoxic potential of the immunosorbent was determined by an in vitro viability assay using V79 lung fibroblasts, demonstrating that the immunosorbents are noncytotoxic. The high adsorption capacity of the novel DNA nanostructure-based adsorbents towards hepatitis B surface antigen indicated the potential application of these materials for the treatment of Hepatitis B infection.