In situ monitoring PUVA therapy by using a cell-array chip-based SERS platform

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Dermatology

Background:

• Psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy is effective for psoriasis but carries risks like melanoma due to potential overdose.
• Monitoring therapeutic response during PUVA therapy is crucial to mitigate side-effects.
• Aberrant tyrosinase (TYR) expression is linked to melanoma, making it a potential biomarker for PUVA therapy evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for in situ monitoring of tyrosinase (TYR) activity during Psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy.
• To utilize a cell-array chip-based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) platform for real-time analysis.
• To assess the potential of monitoring TYR activity to guide clinical PUVA therapy and minimize adverse effects.

Main Methods:

• A cell-array chip was employed to create a simulated cellular environment for cell culture and analysis.
• Single living cells were captured and analyzed within isolated microchambers.
• An enzyme-induced core-shell self-assembly substrate using gold nanoparticles and a SERS reporter (4-MBN) was utilized to quantify TYR activity via SERS signal enhancement.

Main Results:

• The developed SERS platform successfully detected and monitored the upregulation of TYR activity following PUVA therapy.
• The system demonstrated a low detection limit for TYR activity at 0.45 U/mL.
• Real-time, in situ monitoring of therapeutic response during PUVA therapy was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The cell-array chip-based SERS platform provides a viable strategy for in situ monitoring of TYR activity during PUVA therapy.
• This approach enables real-time assessment of therapeutic response, potentially guiding clinical applications and reducing side-effects.
• The method holds significant promise for improving the safety and efficacy of PUVA treatment for psoriasis.