Conjugation of Gold Nanoparticles to the Anti-IL17A Aptamer Improves Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Aptamer in the Experimental Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis.

Introduction: Interleukin-17 (IL17) plays a crucial role in the development of psoriatic plaques, making it a valuable therapeutic target. Recently, aptamers have been identified as promising candidates for inhibiting the biological activity of biomolecules. Despite these advantages, their applications are limited due to negative charge, small size, and lower affinity compared to monoclonal antibodies. To overcome these limitations, in this study, we assessed the therapeutic effects of the gold nanoparticle (AuNPs)-conjugated anti-IL17 single-stranded DNA aptamer in the imiquimod-induced C57BL/6 psoriasis animal model. Methods: Hydrogel-containing anti-IL17A aptamer (M2) or aptamer-conjugated AuNPs were applied topically to the dorsal skin of the C57BL/6 mice 10 min before imiquimod treatment for 5 consecutive days. Psoriasis lesions and skin tissue sections were evaluated using the modified psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score and histology. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors, including Results: Cumulative modified PASI score, as well as Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of anti-IL17A (M2) aptamer are amplified when conjugated with AuNPs in the psoriasis-like model. It seems to be a promising alternative for inhibiting the antibodies of IL17.