Aptamer-functionalized silver nanoparticles for scanometric detection of platelet-derived growth factor-BB

Aptamers as Theragnostic Tools in Prostate Cancer

Despite of the capacity that several drugs have for specific inhibition of the androgen receptor (AR), in most cases, PCa progresses to an androgen-independent stage. In this context, the development of new targeted therapies for prostate cancer (PCa) has remained as a challenge. To overcome this issue, new tools, based on nucleic acids technology, have been developed. Aptamers are small oligonucleotides with a three-dimensional structure capable of interacting with practically any desired target, even large targets such as mammalian cells or viruses. Recently, aptamers have been studied for treatment and detection of many diseases including cancer. In PCa, numerous works have reported their use in the development of new approaches in diagnostics and treatment strategies. Aptamers have been joined with drugs or other specific molecules such as silencing RNAs (aptamer–siRNA chimeras) to specifically reduce the expression of oncogenes in PCa cells. Even though these studies have shown good results in the early stages, more research is still needed to demonstrate the clinical value of aptamers in PCa. The aim of this review was to compile the existing scientific literature regarding the use of aptamers in PCa in both diagnosis and treatment studies. Since Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) aptamers are the most studied type of aptamers in this field, special emphasis was given to these aptamers.

Aptamer-Based Detection of Circulating Targets for Precision Medicine

The past decade has witnessed ongoing progress in precision medicine to improve human health. As an emerging diagnostic technique, liquid biopsy can provide real-time, comprehensive, dynamic physiological and pathological information in a noninvasive manner, opening a new window for precision medicine. Liquid biopsy depends on the sensitive and reliable detection of circulating targets (e.g., cells, extracellular vesicles, proteins, microRNAs) from body fluids, the performance of which is largely governed by recognition ligands. Aptamers are single-stranded functional oligonucleotides, capable of folding into unique tertiary structures to bind to their targets with superior specificity and affinity. Their mature evolution procedure, facile modification, and affinity regulation, as well as versatile structural design and engineering, make aptamers ideal recognition ligands for liquid biopsy. In this review, we present a broad overview of aptamer-based liquid biopsy techniques for precision medicine. We begin with recent advances in aptamer selection, followed by a summary of state-of-the-art strategies for multivalent aptamer assembly and aptamer interface modification. We will further describe aptamer-based micro-/nanoisolation platforms, aptamer-enabled release methods, and aptamer-assisted signal amplification and detection strategies. Finally, we present our perspectives regarding the opportunities and challenges of aptamer-based liquid biopsy for precision medicine.

A Novel Fluorescent Aptasensor for Sensitive Detection of Oxytetracycline Based on Gold Nanoparticles and OTC-Eu3+ Complex Using Two Different Methods for Modification of Gold Nanoparticles

We developed a simple and selective fluorescent aptasensor for the detection of oxytetracycline (OTC) using aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a complex formed between oxytetracycline and a europium cation. In this study, AuNPs were modified with an OTC aptamer using two methods (Tween and NaCl methods). In the absence of OTC, an OTC-Eu3+ complex binds to the aptamer in the aptamer-conjugated AuNPs to give weak fluorescence emission. However, in the presence of OTC, the aptamer interacts with its target, causing a strong fluorescence emission. Under optimum conditions, the designed method showed high selectivity for OTC and a good linear range to OTC concentration from 15 to 500 nM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10.6 nM for the NaCl method and linear range over 15–500 nM with an LOD of 8.8 nM for the Tween method. This biosensor was successfully employed to quantify OTC in milk and tablet samples.

Colorimetric aptasensor for detecting Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli in meat samples

In this study, we successfully developed a simple and rapid method for simultaneous detection of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli using gold nanoparticles and the aptamer aptasensor. We screened 25 specific DNA aptamer candidates against these pathogens using whole-cell Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment. Among them, Ap6 was selected due to its low energy minimization values of -12.25 and -27.67 kcal/mol derived from MFold and RNAFold analysis, respectively. The assay presented in this study allowed the visual colorimetric detection of labeled colloidal gold nanoparticles as well as determination of UV absorbance at 625 and 525 nm under optimized conditions. The detection limit of this aptasensor was as less as 10⁵ CFU/ml. A random investigation of 50 meat samples, including ham and chicken sausages, collected from the local market revealed 96% accuracy, 96% specificity, and 100% sensitivity of the assay. The colorimetric aptasensor can accomplish one-step detection without pre-culture, DNA extraction, and amplification. Hence, it is an easy, rapid, specific, and qualitative assay that can be used as a point-of-care testing to directly detect multiplex foodborne pathogens.

Optical aptasensor based on silver nanoparticles for the colorimetric detection of adenosine

A new and straightforward optical sensor for the colorimetric determination of adenosine (AD) in human urine samples was developed. The sensor comprised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as colorimetric elements and anti-AD aptamer (AP) as a recognition probe. In a solution containing AD and high concentration of NaCl, due to the unique binding of AD with AP, the aggregated metal nanomaterials dispersed in the solution, and the color intensity of the solution was changed accordingly. The absorbance of the solution was monitored for AD quantification. The method was applicable for the determination of AD in the concentration range of 60-280 nM with the detection limit of 21 nM. The relative standard deviation ranged from 4.8 to 8.8% for six replicates. The method showed excellent selectivity toward AD checked over some probable interfering compounds. To investigate the performance of AgNPs, the analytical characteristics of the method including linear range, detection limit, selectivity, and precision were compared with those obtained by a common AuNPs-based aptasensor. The reliability of the method was further ascertained for the detection of AD in urine samples of two lung cancer patients with percentage recoveries in the range of 98-107%.

Targeted imaging of breast cancer cells using two different kinds of aptamers -functionalized nanoparticles

Breast cancer which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women; have been known as a serious threat for health and life around the world. So development of an approach for early-stage diagnosis of breast cancer is vital. In this study, we designed a double aptamer-nanoparticle conjugates-based (DANP) complex for specific detection and visualization of MCF-7 cells using Mucin 1 (MUC 1) aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles (MUC1 apt - GNPs) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) aptamer-conjugated CdTe quantum dots (ATP apt-QDs). The ATP apt-QDs was attached onto MUC1 apt - GNPs surface through Van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions between ATP aptamer and GNPs leading to the formation of DANP complex. Atomic force microscopy asserted DANP complex formation. The imaging process was based on the recognition of MUC1 protein on the surface of MCF-7 cells by MUC1 aptamer and specific internalization of DANP complex into target cells (MCF-7). Existence of abundant amounts of ATP in lysosome led to release of ATP apt-QDs from the MUC1 apt-GNPs surface resulting in strong fluorescence emission. The flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence microscopy confirmed significant internalization of DANP complex into MCF-7 cells (target) in comparison with CHO cells (non-target). Based on the obtained results, the DANP complex possesses high potency for efficient detection and monitoring of breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Microfluidic chip-based silver nanoparticles aptasensor for colorimetric detection of thrombin

In this paper, a colorimetric silver nanoparticles aptasensor (aptamer-AgNPs) was developed for simple and straightforward detection of protein in microfluidic chip. Surface-functionalized microfluidic channels were employed as the capture platform. Then the mixture of target protein and aptamer-AgNPs were injected into the microfluidic channels for colorimetric detection. To demonstrate the performance of this detection platform, thrombin was chosen as a model target protein. Introduction of thrombin could form a sandwich-type complex involving immobilized AgNPs. The amount of aptamer-AgNPs on the complex augmented along with the increase of the thrombin concentration causing different color change that can be analyzed both by naked eyes and a flatbed scanner. This method is featured with low sample consumption, simple processes of microfluidic platform and straightforward colorimetric detection with aptamer-AgNPs. Thrombin at concentrations as low as 20pM can be detected using this aptasensor without signal amplification. This work demonstrated that it had good selectivity over other proteins and it could be a useful strategy to detect other targets with two affinity binding sites for ligands as well.

Biomedical Probes Based on Inorganic Nanoparticles for Electrochemical and Optical Spectroscopy Applications

Inorganic nanoparticles usually provide novel and unique physical properties as their size approaches nanometer scale dimensions. The unique physical and optical properties of nanoparticles may lead to applications in a variety of areas, including biomedical detection. Therefore, current research is now increasingly focused on the use of the high surface-to-volume ratios of nanoparticles to fabricate superb chemical- or biosensors for various detection applications. This article highlights various kinds of inorganic nanoparticles, including metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and semiconductor nanoparticles that can be perceived as useful materials for biomedical probes and points to the outstanding results arising from their use in such probes. The progress in the use of inorganic nanoparticle-based electrochemical, colorimetric and spectrophotometric detection in recent applications, especially bioanalysis, and the main functions of inorganic nanoparticles in detection are reviewed. The article begins with a conceptual discussion of nanoparticles according to types, followed by numerous applications to analytes including biomolecules, disease markers, and pharmaceutical substances. Most of the references cited herein, dating from 2010 to 2015, generally mention one or more of the following characteristics: a low detection limit, good signal amplification and simultaneous detection capabilities.

Colorimetric detection of kanamycin based on analyte-protected silver nanoparticles and aptamer-selective sensing mechanism

In this work, a novel colorimetric detection method for kanamycin (Kana), a widely used aminoglycoside antibiotic, has been developed using unmodified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as sensing probe. The method is designed based on the finding that the analyte (Kana) can protect AgNPs against salt-induced aggregation, and nucleic acid aptamers can decrease the risk of false positives through an aptamer-selective sensing mechanism. By use of the proposed method, selective quantification of Kana can be achieved over the concentration range from 0.05 to 0.6 μg mL(-1) within 20 min. The detection limit is estimated to be 2.6 ng mL(-1), which is much lower than the allowed maximum residue limit. Further studies also demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method in milk samples, revealing that the method may possess enormous potential for practical detection of Kana in the future.

Aptamer-functionalized hybrid carbon nanofiber FET-type electrode for a highly sensitive and selective platelet-derived growth factor biosensor

Precise selectivity and rapid responses to target biomolecules are important in the development of biosensors. In particular, highly sensitive and selective biosensors have been used in clinical treatment to detect factors such as cancer oncoproteins and endocrine disruptors. Herein, highly sensitive liquid electrolyte field-effect transistor (FET) system biosensors were fabricated to detect platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) using a PDGF-B binding aptamer conjugated with carboxylic polypyrrole-coated metal oxide-decorated carbon nanofibers (CPMCNFs) as the signal transducer. First, CPMCNFs were fabricated using vapor deposition polymerization (VDP) of the carboxylic pryrrole monomer (CPy) on metal oxide-decorated carbon nanofiber (MCNF) surfaces with no treatment for carbon surface functionalization. Furthermore, a 3 nm thick uniformly coated carboxylic polypyrrole (CPPy) layer was formed without aggregation. The CPMCNFs were integrated with the PDGF-B binding aptamer and immobilized on the interdigitated array substrate by covalent anchoring to produce a FET-type biosensor transducer. The PDGF-B binding aptamer conjugated CPMCNF (CPB-Apt) FET sensor was highly sensitive (5 fM) and extremely selective for isoforms of PDGFs. Additionally, the CPB-Apt FET sensor could be reused over a few weeks.

Sensitive detection of platelet-derived growth factor through surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay using two different nanomaterials has been demonstrated for highly sensitive and selective detection of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs; 13 nm) are conjugated with aptamer (Apt) and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) as the recognition element and reporter, respectively, while Au pearl necklace nanomaterials (Au PNNs) are used for generating reproducible and enhanced SERS signal of 4-MBA. The Apt/MBA-Au NPs bind PDGF through a specific interaction between Apt and PDGF in a fashion of 2:1, leading to concentration of the analyte and removal of the sample matrix. Through electrostatic interaction, the PDGF-Apt/MBA-Au NPs complexes form aggregates with Au PNNs, leading to an enhanced Raman signal of 4-MBA. Au PNNs allow enhancement factors up to 1.3 × 10(7) and relative standard deviations of Raman signals for 4-MBA down to 15% (five measurements). The assay allows detection of PDGF BB down to 0.5 pM, with linearity of the Raman signal of 4-MBA against the concentration of PDGF over 1-50 pM. Having advantages of sensitivity and reproducibility, this assay has been further applied for the determination of the concentration of PDGF in urine samples, showing its great potential for ultrasensitive analysis of target proteins in biological samples.