Functional Three-Dimensional Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework with an Ordered Macroporous Structure for the Isolation...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial noninvasive diagnostic markers.
• Efficient isolation of EVs from biological samples is essential for biomarker discovery.
• Current EV isolation methods can be time-consuming and complex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel functionalized material for selective and rapid isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs).
• To evaluate the utility of the isolated EVs and their miRNA cargo for colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis.
• To establish a fast and compatible EV isolation technique for subsequent biomarker analysis.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of distearoyl phospholipid ethanolamine-functionalized single-crystal ordered macroporous three-dimensional zeolitic imidazolate framework (SOM-ZIF-8-DSPE).
• Utilizing the combined surface charge interaction of ZIF-8 and DSPE insertion for enhanced EV capture.
• Characterizing the porous structure for optimal EV trapping.
• Performing rapid EV isolation (10 min) and subsequent RNA analysis.

Main Results:

• The SOM-ZIF-8-DSPE material demonstrated efficient EV isolation with improved selectivity.
• The isolation process was rapid (10 min) and compatible with downstream RNA analysis.
• Identified 10 upregulated miRNAs in plasma EVs from primary colorectal cancer (pCRC) patients compared to healthy donors.
• Detected 6 upregulated miRNAs in plasma EVs from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients compared to pCRC patients.

Conclusions:

• The developed SOM-ZIF-8-DSPE is a promising material for rapid and selective extracellular vesicle isolation.
• EV-derived miRNA profiling using this method shows potential for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
• This approach offers a viable strategy for identifying noninvasive biomarkers for disease detection.