SDF-1 Binding Nucleic Acids and the Use Thereof

1 - 115 . (canceled)

116 . A method for the treatment of nephropathy or hypertension, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment, a nucleic acid that inhibits the signalling between SDF-1 and the SDF-1 receptor.

117 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein said nephropathy comprises diabetic nephropathy.

118 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises an SDF-1 binding molecule or an SDF-1 receptor binding molecule.

119 . The method according to claim 118 , wherein the SDF-1 binding molecule or the SDF-1 receptor binding molecule is selected from the group consisting of an aptamer, a Spiegelmer, an antibody and a small molecule.

120 . The method according to claim 118 , wherein the SDF-1 binding molecule or the SDF-1 receptor binding molecule is selected from the group consisting of a type A nucleic acid, a type B nucleic acid, a type C nucleic acid, SEQ ID NO:142, SEQ ID NO: 143 and SEQ ID NO:144,

wherein the type A nucleic acid comprises a core nucleotide sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 19)

5′ AAAGYRACAHGUMAAX A UGAAAGGUARC 3′

wherein X A is either absent or is A,

wherein the type B nucleic acid comprises a core nucleotide sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 57)

5′ GUGUGAUCUAGAUGUADWGGCUGWUCCUAGUYAGG 3′

and

wherein the type C nucleic acid comprises a core nucleotide sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 90)

5′ GGUUYAGGGCUHRX A AGUCGG 3′,

wherein X A is either absent or is A.

121 . The method according to claim 120 , wherein the

the type A nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs:5 to 18, 25 to 41, 133, 137, 139, 140 or 141;

the nucleic type B acid comprises a nucleotide sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs:46 to 56, 61 to 72 or 132; and

the type C nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs:79 to 89, 94 to 119, 134, 135 or 136.

122 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises an antagonist of the SDF-1 receptor system, wherein the SDF-1 receptor of the SDF-1 receptor system comprises CXCR4 or CXCR7.

123 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein the SDF-1 is a human SDF-1 or the SDF-1 receptor is a human SDF-1 receptor.

124 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises a modification.

125 . The method according to claim 124 , wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of a HES moiety and a PEG moiety.

126 . The method according to claim 124 , wherein the modification comprises a PEG moiety consisting of a straight or branched PEG, wherein the molecular weight of the PEG moiety is from about 2 to 180 kD, 60 to 140 kD or about 40 kD.

127 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein the nucleic acid inhibits expression of SDF-1 or SDF-1 receptor and comprises siRNA molecules, ribozymes, antisense molecules or inhibitors of transcription factors.

128 . The method according to claim 116 , wherein said hypertension comprises pulmonary hypertension.

129 . A method for inhibiting the migration of leukocytes, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a nucleic acid that inhibits signalling between SDF-1 and the SDF-1 receptor selected from the group consisting of a type A nucleic acid, a type B nucleic acid, a type C nucleic acid, SEQ ID NO:142, SEQ ID NO: 143 and SEQ ID N:144,

wherein the type A nucleic acid comprises a core nucleotide sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 19)

5′ AAAGYRACAHGUMAAX A UGAAAGGUARC 3′

wherein X A is either absent or is A,

wherein the type B nucleic acid molecule comprises a core nucleotide sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 57)

5′ GUGUGAUCUAGAUGUADWGGCUGWUCCUAGUYAGG 3′;

and

wherein the type C nucleic acid molecule comprises a core nucleotide sequence of

(SEQ ID NO: 90)

GGUYAGGGCUHR X AAGUCGG,

wherein X A is either absent or is A.

130 . The method according to claim 129 , wherein the

the type A nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs:5 to 18, 25 to 41, 133, 137, 139, 140 or 141;

the nucleic type B acid comprises a nucleotide sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs:46 to 56, 61 to 72 or 132; and

the type C nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs:79 to 89, 94 to 119, 134, 135 or 136.

131 . The method according to claim 129 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises an antagonist of the SDF-1 receptor system, wherein the SDF-1 receptor of the SDF-11 receptor system comprises CXCR4 or CXCR7.

132 . The method according to claim 129 , wherein the SDF-1 is a human SDF-1 or the SDF-1 receptor of the SDF-1 receptor system is a human SDF-1 receptor.

133 . The method according to claim 129 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises a modification.

134 . The method according to claim 133 , wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of a HES moiety and a PEG moiety.

135 . The method according to claim 133 , wherein the modification comprises a PEG moiety consisting of a straight or branched PEG, wherein the molecular weight of the PEG moiety is from about 2 to 180 kD, from about 60 to 140 kD or about 40 kD.