biostudies-literatureVan Simaeys DNIDDK NIH HHSJDRFU.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases1815https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8983715biostudies-literatureUnknown13(1)The ability to detect and target β cells in vivo can substantially refine how diabetes is studied and treated. However, the lack of specific probes still hampers a precise characterization of human β cell mass and the delivery of therapeutics in clinical settings. Here, we report the identification of two RNA aptamers that specifically and selectively recognize mouse and human β cells. The putative targets of the two aptamers are transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 6 (TMED6) and clusterin (CLUS). When given systemically in immune deficient mice, these aptamers recognize the human islet graft producing a fluorescent signal proportional to the number of human islets transplanted. These aptamers cross-react with endogenous mouse β cells and allow monitoring the rejection of mouse islet alloNature communicationsRNA aptamers specific for transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 6 and Clusterin for the targeted delivery of imaging reagents and RNA therapeutics to human β cells.PMC8983715UC4 DK 116241UC4 DK116241SRA-2020-962-S-B17-2013-3262016-173-A-NCaroli JAlcazar OZoso ASerafini PBicciato SZilio SBuchwald PGrilli AKuznetsova VDe La Fuente AVan Simaeys DfalseRNA aptamers specific for transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 6 and Clusterin for the targeted delivery of imaging reagents and RNA therapeutics to human β cells.The ability to detect and target β cells in vivo can substantially refine how diabetes is studied and treated. However, the lack of specific probes still hampers a precise characterization of human β cell mass and the delivery of therapeutics in clinical settings. Here, we report the identification of two RNA aptamers that specifically and selectively recognize mouse and human β cells. The putative targets of the two aptamers are transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 6 (TMED6) and clusterin (CLUS). When given systemically in immune deficient mice, these aptamers recognize the human islet graft producing a fluorescent signal proportional to the number of human islets transplanted. These aptamers cross-react with endogenous mouse β cells and allow monitoring the rejection of mouse islet allo2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Apr2026-05-31T01:09:35.503Z2025-04-03T22:51:26.489ZS-EPMC89837153538319210.1038/s41467-022-29377-3