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Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Imaging of Dynamic pH Changes in Lysosomes during Cancer Cell Invasion on a
Sijia Liu1, Mengfei Liu1, Mingyu Zhang1
1Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China.
Chemical & Biomedical Imaging
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new method using microfluidic chips and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to study lysosomal pH during cancer cell invasion. This technique revealed subtle pH shifts and lysosome positioning, offering insights into cancer metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Lysosomes are crucial for cellular degradation and signaling.
- Lysosomal pH dynamics are well-studied in cell death but underexplored in cell invasion.
- Understanding lysosome function during invasion is key to cancer metastasis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a novel method for real-time analysis of lysosomal pH changes during cancer cell invasion.
- To investigate the spatial distribution of lysosomes during cell migration and invasion.
- To elucidate the role of lysosomal pH in cancer metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Development of a custom microfluidic chip to simulate cancer cell invasion.
- Utilization of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for real-time, in situ imaging.
- Synthesis and application of a biocompatible 4-MPy-modified gold-silver core-shell nanoparticle pH nanoprobe for subcellular monitoring.
Main Results:
- Observed a slight decrease in lysosomal pH during cell invasion.
- Detected a slight increase in extracellular pH.
- Found lysosomes predominantly localized in the cell periphery during invasion and migration.
Conclusions:
- The SERS microfluidic chip provides a powerful tool for studying lysosomal dynamics in live cells.
- Lysosomal pH alterations and positioning are associated with cancer cell invasion.
- This research deepens the understanding of lysosome involvement in cancer metastasis.
