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Nanosensors to Detect Protease Activity In Vivo for Noninvasive Diagnostics
Published on: July 16, 2018
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In vivo sensing of proteolytic activity with an NSET-based NIR fluorogenic nanosensor
Minhee Ku1, Yoochan Hong2, Dan Heo3
1Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|October 12, 2015
Summary
This study developed a near-infrared (NIR) nanosensor for detecting matrix metalloproteinase activity in cancer. The sensor uses gold nanorods and fluorescent peptides to visualize cancer cell metastasis in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR) in vivo sensing offers high photon transparency and sensitivity for non-invasive cancer cell monitoring.
- Matrix metalloproteinases, such as membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinases (MT1-MMPs), are crucial in cancer cell metastasis.
- Early detection of MT1-MMP activity is vital for clinical cancer management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate an NIR fluorogenic nanosensor for detecting MT1-MMP activity.
- To utilize nanoparticle surface energy transfer for sensitive molecular event detection.
- To apply in vivo NIR sensing for monitoring MT1-MMP activity in a metastatic tumor model.
Main Methods:
- Conjugation of fluorescent, enzyme-specific cleavable peptides with gold nanorods (GNRs).
- Fabrication of an NIR fluorogenic nanosensor based on nanoparticle surface energy transfer.
- In vivo NIR sensing applied to an MT1-MMP-expressing metastatic tumor mouse model.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of an NIR fluorogenic nanosensor.
- Demonstration of the nanosensor's capability for in vivo sensing of MT1-MMP activity.
- Visualization of MT1-MMP activity as an NIR imaging target in a mouse model.
Conclusions:
- The developed NIR nanosensor is effective for in vivo detection of MT1-MMP activity.
- This technology holds potential for non-invasive mapping and monitoring of cancer metastasis.
- NIR sensing of MT1-MMP activity can provide valuable clinical information for cancer patients.
