Blocking interaction of viral gp120 and CD4-expressing T cells by single-stranded DNA aptamers

- A protein-cell hybrid SELEX enrichment approach was used to develop ssDNA aptamers that are stable in serum and specific for CD4-expressing cells.
- The developed ssDNA aptamers significantly inhibit the interaction between HIV gp120 and CD4-expressing human cells.
- As a biomaterial, aptamers could be a powerful approach to prevent HIV-1 transmission, which is currently a major clinical obstacle.