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Updated: May 2, 2026
Nanosensors to Detect Protease Activity In Vivo for Noninvasive Diagnostics
Published on: July 16, 2018
Development of an aptamer-conjugated fluorescent nanoprobe for MMP2
Myoung-Eun Han, Sungmin Baek, Hyun-Jung Kim
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, 49 Busandaehak-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea. hedgehog@pusan.ac.kr.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) plays critical roles in various diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cancer, and has been suggested to contribute to the instability of atherosclerotic plaque. To visualize MMP2 in pathologic tissues, we developed an aptamer targeting MMP2 protein by performing eight rounds of modified DNA systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The aptamer showed high affinity for MMP2 (Kd = 5.59 nM), precipitated MMP2, and detected MMP2 protein in pathological tissues such as atherosclerotic plaque and gastric cancer tissues. Furthermore, a MMP2 aptamer-conjugated fluorescent nanoprobe successfully visualized atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice. These results suggest that the devised MMP2 aptamer could be useful for the development of various diagnostic tools.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel aptamer to detect matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), a protein linked to diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer. This aptamer successfully visualized atherosclerotic plaques in mice, paving the way for new diagnostic tools.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is implicated in diseases including atherosclerosis and cancer.
- MMP2 may destabilize atherosclerotic plaques, highlighting the need for visualization tools.
- Targeting MMP2 is crucial for understanding and diagnosing related pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a specific aptamer for detecting matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2).
- To evaluate the aptamer's efficacy in visualizing MMP2 in pathological tissues and animal models.
- To explore the potential of the aptamer in creating novel diagnostic applications.
Main Methods:
- Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to generate an MMP2-targeting DNA aptamer.
- The aptamer's affinity and binding capabilities for MMP2 were assessed.
- An MMP2 aptamer-conjugated fluorescent nanoprobe was constructed and tested in vivo.
Main Results:
- An aptamer with high affinity (Kd = 5.59 nM) for MMP2 was successfully developed.
- The aptamer demonstrated the ability to precipitate and detect MMP2 in atherosclerotic plaque and gastric cancer tissues.
- A fluorescent nanoprobe utilizing the MMP2 aptamer effectively visualized atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE knockout mice.
Conclusions:
- The developed MMP2 aptamer is a promising tool for detecting MMP2 in pathological conditions.
- The aptamer facilitates the visualization of key disease markers like atherosclerotic plaques.
- This aptamer holds potential for the development of advanced diagnostic tools for MMP2-related diseases.
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