A Versatile Tool for Imaging Neutrophil Elastase in Diabetic Complication.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Molecular Biology
• Diabetology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus causes hyperglycemia, leading to severe complications like impaired liver function and wound healing.
• Neutrophil elastase (NE), a key protease, significantly contributes to inflammation and poor tissue repair in diabetic patients.
• Current in vivo methods for detecting NE activity are limited, hindering research and clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel NE-specific probe (NEP) and its self-assembled nanoparticle form (NanoNEP).
• To evaluate NanoNEP's efficacy in monitoring NE activity in vivo in diabetic models and human samples.
• To explore NanoNEP as a potential diagnostic tool for diabetes-related complications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of NEP probe and its self-assembly with bovine serum albumin (BSA) into NanoNEP.
• Characterization of NanoNEP for selectivity, stability, biocompatibility, and dispersion.
• In vivo monitoring of NE activity using NanoNEP in diabetic mouse models (liver, wounds, serum) and human diabetic foot lesions.

Main Results:

• NanoNEP demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility, solubility, and dispersion.
• The probe successfully monitored NE activity in vivo in various diabetic conditions.
• NanoNEP effectively detected NE activity in human diabetic foot lesions, confirming its clinical relevance.

Conclusions:

• NanoNEP is a sensitive and innovative tool for real-time detection of NE activity.
• This probe provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes-related complications.
• NanoNEP holds promise for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in diabetes management.