1
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Postigo A, Martínez-Vicente P, Baumann KN, Del Barrio J, Hernández-Ainsa S. Assessing the influence of small structural modifications in simple DNA-based nanostructures on their role as drug nanocarriers. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:1549-1557. [PMID: 38305143 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01987j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology leverages Watson-Crick-Franklin base-pairing interactions to build complex DNA-based nanostructures (DNS). Due to DNA specific self-assembly properties, DNS can be designed with a total control of their architecture, which has been demonstrated to have an impact on the overall DNS features. Indeed, structural properties such as the shape, size and flexibility of DNS can influence their biostability as well as their ability to internalise into cells. We present here two series of simple DNS with small and precise variations related to their length or flexibility and study the influence that these structural changes have on their overall properties as drug nanocarriers. Results indicate that shorter and more flexible DNS present higher stability towards nuclease degradation. These structural changes also have a certain effect on their cell internalisation ability and drug release rate. Consequently, drug-loaded DNS cytotoxicity varies according to the design, with lower cell viability values obtained in the DNS exhibiting faster drug release and larger cell interaction rates. In summary, small changes in the structure of simple DNS can have an influence on their overall capabilities as drug nanocarriers. The effects reported here could guide the design of simple DNS for future therapeutic uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Postigo
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain.
| | - Pablo Martínez-Vicente
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain.
| | | | - Jesús Del Barrio
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain.
| | - Silvia Hernández-Ainsa
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain.
- ARAID Foundation, Government of Aragon, Zaragoza 50018, Spain
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2
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Abstract
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The design of simple and versatile synthetic routes to
accomplish
triggered-release properties in carriers is of particular interest
for drug delivery purposes. In this context, the programmability and
adaptability of DNA nanoarchitectures in combination with liposomes
have great potential to render biocompatible hybrid carriers for triggered
cargo release. We present an approach to form a DNA mesh on large
unilamellar liposomes incorporating a stimuli-responsive DNA building
block. Upon incubation with a single-stranded DNA trigger sequence,
a hairpin closes, and the DNA building block is allowed to self-contract.
We demonstrate the actuation of this building block by single-molecule
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence recovery
after photobleaching, and fluorescence quenching measurements. By
triggering this process, we demonstrate the elevated release of the
dye calcein from the DNA–liposome hybrid carriers. Interestingly,
the incubation of the doxorubicin-laden active hybrid carrier with
HEK293T cells suggests increased cytotoxicity relative to a control
carrier without the triggered-release mechanism. In the future, the
trigger could be provided by peritumoral nucleic acid sequences and
lead to site-selective release of encapsulated chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin N Baumann
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.,Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Tim Schröder
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Prashanth S Ciryam
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Diana Morzy
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Philip Tinnefeld
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.,Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Silvia Hernández-Ainsa
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain.,Government of Aragon, ARAID Foundation, Zaragoza 50018, Spain
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3
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Czekalska MA, Jacobs AMJ, Toprakcioglu Z, Kong L, Baumann KN, Gang H, Zubaite G, Ye R, Mu B, Levin A, Huck WTS, Knowles TPJ. One-Step Generation of Multisomes from Lipid-Stabilized Double Emulsions. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:6739-6747. [PMID: 33522221 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Multisomes are multicompartmental structures formed by a lipid-stabilized network of aqueous droplets, which are contained by an outer oil phase. These biomimetic structures are emerging as a versatile platform for soft matter and synthetic biology applications. While several methods for producing multisomes have been described, including microfluidic techniques, approaches for generating biocompatible, monodisperse multisomes in a reproducible manner remain challenging to implement due to low throughput and complex device fabrication. Here, we report on a robust method for the dynamically controlled generation of multisomes with controllable sizes and high monodispersity from lipid-based double emulsions. The described microfluidic approach entails the use of three different phases forming a water/oil/water (W/O/W) double emulsion stabilized by lipid layers. We employ a gradient of glycerol concentration between the inner core and outer phase to drive the directed osmosis, allowing the swelling of lamellar lipid layers resulting in the formation of small aqueous daughter droplets at the interface of the inner aqueous core. By adding increasing concentrations of glycerol to the outer aqueous phase and subsequently varying the osmotic gradient, we show that key structural parameters, including the size of the internal droplets, can be specifically controlled. Finally, we show that this approach can be used to generate multisomes encapsulating small-molecule cargo, with potential applications in synthetic biology, drug delivery, and as carriers for active materials in the food and cosmetics industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena A Czekalska
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, Warsaw 01-224, Poland
| | - Anne M J Jacobs
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lingling Kong
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kevin N Baumann
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hongze Gang
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Greta Zubaite
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ruqiang Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Bozhong Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, CB2 0HE Cambridge, United Kingdom
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4
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Joseph J, Baumann KN, Postigo A, Bollepalli L, Bohndiek SE, Hernández-Ainsa S. DNA-Based Nanocarriers to Enhance the Optoacoustic Contrast of Tumors In Vivo. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001739. [PMID: 33191661 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Optoacoustic tomography (OT) enables non-invasive deep tissue imaging of optical contrast at high spatio-temporal resolution. The applications of OT in cancer imaging often rely on the use of molecular imaging contrast agents based on near-infrared (NIR) dyes to enhance contrast at the tumor site. While these agents afford excellent biocompatibility and minimal toxicity, they present limited optoacoustic signal generation capability and rapid renal clearance, which can impede their tumor imaging efficacy. In this work, a synthetic strategy to overcome these limitations utilizing biodegradable DNA-based nanocarrier (DNA-NC) platforms is introduced. DNA-NCs enable the incorporation of NIR dyes (in this case, IRDye 800CW) at precise positions to enable fluorescence quenching and maximize optoacoustic signal generation. Furthermore, these DNA-NCs show a prolonged blood circulation compared to the native fluorophores, facilitating tumor accumulation by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In vivo imaging of tumor xenografts in mice following intravenous administration of DNA-NCs reveals enhanced OT signals at 24 h when compared to free fluorophores, indicating promise for this method to enhance the optoacoustic signal generation capability and tumor uptake of clinically relevant NIR dyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Joseph
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Kevin N Baumann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Alejandro Postigo
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
| | - Laura Bollepalli
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Sarah E Bohndiek
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Silvia Hernández-Ainsa
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
- ARAID Foundation, Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
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5
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Hakala T, Bialas F, Toprakcioglu Z, Bräuer B, Baumann KN, Levin A, Bernardes GJL, Becker CFW, Knowles TPJ. Continuous Flow Reactors from Microfluidic Compartmentalization of Enzymes within Inorganic Microparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:32951-32960. [PMID: 32589387 PMCID: PMC7383928 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization and selective transport of molecular species are key aspects of chemical transformations inside the cell. In an artificial setting, the immobilization of a wide range of enzymes onto surfaces is commonly used for controlling their functionality but such approaches can restrict their efficacy and expose them to degrading environmental conditions, thus reducing their activity. Here, we employ an approach based on droplet microfluidics to generate enzyme-containing microparticles that feature an inorganic silica shell that forms a semipermeable barrier. We show that this porous shell permits selective diffusion of the substrate and product while protecting the enzymes from degradation by proteinases and maintaining their functionality over multiple reaction cycles. We illustrate the power of this approach by synthesizing microparticles that can be employed to detect glucose levels through simultaneous encapsulation of two distinct enzymes that form a controlled reaction cascade. These results demonstrate a robust, accessible, and modular approach for the formation of microparticles containing active but protected enzymes for molecular sensing applications and potential novel diagnostic platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuuli
A. Hakala
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Friedrich Bialas
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Birgit Bräuer
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin N. Baumann
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Aviad Levin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Gonçalo J. L. Bernardes
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
- Instituto
de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina
de Universidad de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Christian F. W. Becker
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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6
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Sanguanini M, Baumann KN, Preet S, Chia S, Habchi J, Knowles TPJ, Vendruscolo M. Complexity in Lipid Membrane Composition Induces Resilience to Aβ 42 Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1347-1352. [PMID: 32212722 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular origins of Alzheimer's disease are associated with the aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). This process is controlled by a complex cellular homeostasis system, which involves a variety of components, including proteins, metabolites, and lipids. It has been shown in particular that certain components of lipid membranes can speed up Aβ aggregation. This observation prompts the question of whether there are protective cellular mechanisms to counterbalance this effect. Here, to address this issue, we investigate the role of the composition of lipid membranes in modulating the aggregation process of Aβ. By adopting a chemical kinetics approach, we first identify a panel of lipids that affect the aggregation of the 42-residue form of Aβ (Aβ42), ranging from enhancement to inhibition. We then show that these effects tend to average out in mixtures of these lipids, as such mixtures buffer extreme aggregation behaviors as the number of components increases. These results indicate that a degree of quality control on protein aggregation can be achieved through a mechanism by which an increase in the molecular complexity of lipid membranes balances opposite effects and creates resilience to aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Sanguanini
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Kevin N. Baumann
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Swapan Preet
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Sean Chia
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Johnny Habchi
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
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7
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Kamada A, Levin A, Toprakcioglu Z, Shen Y, Lutz-Bueno V, Baumann KN, Mohammadi P, Linder MB, Mezzenga R, Knowles TPJ. Modulating the Mechanical Performance of Macroscale Fibers through Shear-Induced Alignment and Assembly of Protein Nanofibrils. Small 2020; 16:e1904190. [PMID: 31595701 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201904190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based fibers are used by nature as high-performance materials in a wide range of applications, including providing structural support, creating thermal insulation, and generating underwater adhesives. Such fibers are commonly generated through a hierarchical self-assembly process, where the molecular building blocks are geometrically confined and aligned along the fiber axis to provide a high level of structural robustness. Here, this approach is mimicked by using a microfluidic spinning method to enable precise control over multiscale order during the assembly process of nanoscale protein nanofibrils into micro- and macroscale fibers. By varying the flow rates on chip, the degree of nanofibril alignment can be tuned, leading to an orientation index comparable to that of native silk. It is found that the Young's modulus of the resulting fibers increases with an increasing level of nanoscale alignment of the building blocks, suggesting that the mechanical properties of macroscopic fibers can be controlled through varying the level of ordering of the nanoscale building blocks. Capitalizing on strategies evolved by nature, the fabrication method allows for the controlled formation of macroscopic fibers and offers the potential to be applied for the generation of further novel bioinspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Kamada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aviad Levin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Viviane Lutz-Bueno
- Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials Science, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse, 9, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kevin N Baumann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Espoo, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 00076, Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials Science, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse, 9, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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8
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Baumann KN, Fux AC, Joseph J, Bohndiek SE, Hernández-Ainsa S. An active DNA-based nanoprobe for photoacoustic pH imaging. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:10176-10178. [PMID: 30137064 PMCID: PMC6127833 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc04007a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We report an active DNA construct capable of probing pH through a photoacoustic (PA) ratiometric analysis approach. Our nanoprobe enables different PA readout in tissue mimicking phantoms in the range between pH 6.8 to 7.8 at physiologically relevant sodium concentrations. Thus, it represents a promising platform to probe pH values relevant to the tumor microenvironment using PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin N. Baumann
- Cavendish Laboratory
, Department of Physics
, University of Cambridge
,
Cambridge
, UK
.
| | - Alexandra C. Fux
- Cavendish Laboratory
, Department of Physics
, University of Cambridge
,
Cambridge
, UK
.
| | - James Joseph
- Cavendish Laboratory
, Department of Physics
, University of Cambridge
,
Cambridge
, UK
.
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
, University of Cambridge
,
Cambridge
, UK
| | - Sarah E. Bohndiek
- Cavendish Laboratory
, Department of Physics
, University of Cambridge
,
Cambridge
, UK
.
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
, University of Cambridge
,
Cambridge
, UK
| | - Silvia Hernández-Ainsa
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA)
, University of Zaragoza
,
Campus Río Ebro, Edificio I+D
, 50018 Zaragoza
, Spain
.
- ARAID Foundation
, Government of Aragon
,
Zaragoza 50018
, Spain
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Joseph J, Baumann KN, Koehler P, Zuehlsdorff TJ, Cole DJ, Weber J, Bohndiek SE, Hernández-Ainsa S. Distance dependent photoacoustics revealed through DNA nanostructures. Nanoscale 2017; 9:16193-16199. [PMID: 29043366 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr05353c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Molecular rulers that rely on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism are widely used to investigate dynamic molecular processes that occur on the nanometer scale. However, the capabilities of these fluorescence molecular rulers are fundamentally limited to shallow imaging depths by light scattering in biological samples. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) has recently emerged as a high resolution modality for in vivo imaging, coupling optical excitation with ultrasound detection. In this paper, we report the capability of PAT to probe distance-dependent FRET at centimeter depths. Using DNA nanotechnology we created several nanostructures with precisely positioned fluorophore-quencher pairs over a range of nanoscale separation distances. PAT of the DNA nanostructures showed distance-dependent photoacoustic signal enhancement and demonstrated the ability of PAT to reveal the FRET process deep within tissue mimicking phantoms. Further, we experimentally validated these DNA nanostructures as a novel and biocompatible strategy to augment the intrinsic photoacoustic signal generation capabilities of small molecule fluorescent dyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Joseph
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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