Tunning Intermolecular Interaction of Peptide-Conjugated AIEgen in Nano-Confined Space for Quantitative Detection of Tumor Marker Secreted from Cells

Abstract

Determining the expression level of biomarkers is crucial for disease diagnosis. However, the low abundance of biomarkers in the early stage makes the detection extremely difficult by traditional aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based fluorescent probes. Here, by tuning the intermolecular interaction, a two stepsbased MP/NPs-SLIPS sensing system is designed for ultrasensitive detection of the tumor marker matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). During the sensing process, aggregation of AIE residual could be intensified through the electrostatic absorption by negatively charged nanoparticles (NPs), as well as the confined space formed by the self-assembly of NPs to photonic crystals (PCs) on slippery lubricant-infused porous substrates (SLIPS). The fluorescent signals obviously increased with a strengthened aggregation degree, which contributes to improved sensitivity. Thus, the limit of detection is decreased to 3.7 ng/mL for MP/NPs-SLIPS sensing system, which could be used for detecting the MMP-2 secreted by tumor cells directly. This strategy also demonstrated its potential applications as high-throughput detection devices and will be of significance for the ultrasensitive analysis of biomarkers.

Bio-inspired Superwettable Surface for the Detection of Cancer Biomarker: A Mini Review

“…This SLIPS-based biosensor achieved a low LOD of 3.7 ng/mL and significant selectivity. 36 The fluorescent signal on SLIPS showed the strongest enhancement: 1.25-fold higher than that of superhydrophobic substrates, 1.44-fold higher than that of hydrophobic substrates, and 4.59-fold higher than that of hydrophilic substrates.…”

“… 35 (D) AIE-induced fluorescence enhancement for the detection of matrix metalloproteinase-2 on SLIPS. 36 …”

Superwettable Biosensor for Disease Biomarker Detection

“…To address this problem, Lou et al proposed an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen-based fluorescent method for the detection of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) tumor marker on slippery lubricant-infused porous substrates (SLIPSs) ( Figure 2A ). This SLIPS method obtained a low LOD of 3.7 ng/ml, which has been successfully used for detecting the MMP-2 secreted by tumor cells directly ( Wu et al, 2021 ).…”

“… (A) Sensing process of peptide-conjugated AIEgen for quantitative detection of MMP-2 secreted from cells on the slippery surface ( Wu et al, 2021 ). (B) Superwettable electrochemical microchip toward PSA detection ( Xu et al, 2018 ).…”

Precisely Detecting the Telomerase Activities by an AIEgen Probe with Dual Signal Outputs after Cell-Cycle Synchronization

“…Making full use of the telomerase-induced extension reaction, our group has designed a sequence of telomerase activity sensing systems to enhance the specificity of telomerase detection in living cells. − In the presence of telomerase, extra added template strand primer (TP) can be extended. Therefore, by taking advantage of a unique luminescence mechanism of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens), − the formed negatively charged single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) sequence could combine with positively charged AIEgens via an electrostatic interaction, leading to their aggregation and turning on the fluorescence signal. In 2016, our group utilized positively charged TPE-Py molecules and simultaneously introduced the quencher group Dabcyl to TP to achieve the in situ detection and imaging of telomerase activity in living cells.…”