Monocyte and macrophage binding aptamers and their application

A cell displaying an aptamer that specifically binds to a monocyte and/or a macrophage, wherein the aptamer comprises a sequence having at least 75% sequence identity, or differs by less than three nucleotides, to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, or SEQ ID NO:3;

• wherein any nucleotide change in the sequence of the aptamer relative to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3 occurs within one or more stem regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3 and co-occurs with one or more compensatory nucleotide changes within the one or more stem regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3 to maintain double-strandedness of the one or more stem regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:
• 3.

A method of delivering a therapeutic agent, the method comprising administering an aptamer comprising a sequence having at least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:

• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the aptamer is attached to a therapeutic drug or therapeutic cell;
• wherein any nucleotide change in the sequence of the aptamer relative to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3 occurs within one or more stem regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3 and co-occurs with one or more compensatory nucleotide changes within the one or more stem regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:3 to maintain double-strandedness of the one or more stem regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or SEQ ID NO:
• 3.