Oligonucleotide-Peptide Conjugates: Solid-Phase Synthesis under Acidic Conditions and Use in ELISA Assays

Abstract

Here we used solid-phase methods to prepare oligonucleotides carrying fibrin/ filaggrin citrullinated peptides. Post-synthetic conjugation protocols were successfully applied for the synthesis of oligonucleotides carrying small peptides. A stepwise protocol using acid treatment for the final deprotection allowed the preparation of polypyrimidine oligonucleotides carrying longer and arginine-rich peptides. An ELISA-based test using the oligonucleotide-citrullinated peptide conjugates was developed for the detection of anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies in human serum from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Keywords

• oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates
• ELISA
• solid-phase synthesis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• epitopes
• anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies
• ACPA
• fibrin
• filaggrin
• citrullinated peptides