High affinity nucleic acid ligands of complement system proteins

Abstract

Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands to Complement System Proteins. Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands to Complement System Proteins C1q, C3 and C5. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to C1q, C3 and C5 identified by the SELEX method.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a Complement System-mediated disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of a Nucleic Acid Ligand of a Complement System Protein.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said Nucleic Acid Ligand is identified according to a method comprising: 
 a) preparing a candidate mixture of nucleic acids;  
 b) contacting the candidate mixture of nucleic acids with a Complement System Protein, wherein nucleic acids having an increased affinity to said Complement System Protein relative to the candidate mixture may be partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture;  
 c) partitioning the increased affinity nucleic acids from the remainder of the candidate mixture; and  
 d) amplifying the increased affinity nucleic acids to yield a mixture of nucleic acids enriched for nucleic acid sequences with relatively higher affinity and specificity for binding said Complement System Protein, wherein Nucleic Acid Ligands of said Complement System Protein may be identified.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said Complement System Protein is selected from the group consisting of C1q, C3 and C5.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said Complement System-mediated disease is selected from the group consisting of myocardial infarction and Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         5 . A method of treating a Complement System-mediated disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical agent which specifically treats said disease and administering a Nucleic Acid Ligand C1q inhibitor in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the Complement System.