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.

1 . A method for inhibiting activation of a membrane attack pathway in vivo wherein inhibition of the pathway inhibits acute myocardial ischemia, the method comprising administration of a nucleic acid ligand comprising a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 194, 195 or 196 to serum containing a C5 complement system protein. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration of the nucleic acid ligand inhibits complement-mediated vasoactive activity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration of the nucleic acid ligand inhibits acute inflammation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of the nucleic acid ligand inhibits chronic inflammation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration of the nucleic acid ligand inhibits a condition selected from the group consisting of muscle injury in acute autoimmune myasthenia gravis, organ rejection in transplantation, renal injury in autoimmune glomerulonephritis, acute CNS injury, chronic CNS injury, leukocyte activation during extracorporeal circulation, and tissue injury associated with autoimmune disease.