AS1411 aptamer-functionalized, cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles for targeted tumor cells imaging in the Raman...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful technique for biological imaging.
• Existing SERS probes can suffer from interference from endogenous biomolecules.
• Targeted imaging of cancer cells requires probes with specificity and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a novel biomimetic SERS nanoprobe for synergistic targeted imaging of tumor cells.
• To achieve background-free SERS imaging with enhanced stability and specificity.
• To demonstrate the probe's utility in detecting cancer cells and visualizing tumor tissue margins.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of gold nanostars (AuNS) modified with 4-mercaptobenzonitrile (4-MBN), cell membrane (CM), and AS1411 aptamer (Au@MBN@CM@apt).
• Characterization of the nanoprobe's SERS properties, stability, and biocompatibility.
• In vitro testing on MCF-7 cancer cells and normal cells for targeted imaging.
• In vivo testing on tissue sections for tumor margin delineation.

Main Results:

• The Au@MBN@CM@apt probe exhibited strong SERS signals at 2226 cm⁻¹ in the Raman silent region, minimizing biomolecular interference.
• The probe demonstrated excellent stability, retaining signal integrity for up to 170 days.
• Specific targeting and imaging of nucleolin-overexpressing cancer cells (MCF-7) were achieved.
• High-contrast SERS imaging of tumor tissue sections allowed clear delineation of tumor margins.

Conclusions:

• The developed biomimetic SERS nanoprobe offers a promising platform for background-free, targeted tumor visualization.
• The probe's design integrates enhanced SERS signal, biocompatibility, and specific cancer cell targeting.
• This technology holds potential for improved cancer diagnostics and imaging applications.