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Zheng M, Wiraja C, Yeo DC, Chang H, Lio DCS, Shi W, Pu K, Paller AS, Xu C. Oligonucleotide Molecular Sprinkler for Intracellular Detection and Spontaneous Regulation of mRNA for Theranostics of Scar Fibroblasts. Small 2018; 14:e1802546. [PMID: 30353661 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis and timely intervention are key for the successful treatment of skin diseases like abnormal scars. This study introduces a nucleic-acid-based probe (i.e., molecular sprinkler) for the diagnosis and spontaneous regulation of the abnormal expression of fibrosis-related mRNA in scar-derived skin fibroblasts. Using mRNA encoding connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as the model gene, a probe with three oligonucleotides is constructed, including a recognition sequence complementary to the CTGF mRNA, a siRNA against transforming growth factor receptor I (TGFβRI) as the CTGF mRNA suppressor, and a connecting sequence. The probe can detect CTGF mRNA with a limit of 10 × 10-9 m and distinguishes scar fibroblasts from normal ones in both 2D and 3D environments. Two days after transfection, the siRNA released from the probe reduces the expression of TGFβRI and, consequently, decreases the cellular expression of CTGF mRNA (up to 70%). This dual-role probe presents opportunities to monitor the TGF- β signaling pathway, screen for drugs that target the CTGF pathway, and determine the role of inhibition of the CTGF pathway in therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Zheng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| | - Christian Wiraja
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| | - David C Yeo
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| | - Hao Chang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| | - Daniel Chin Shiuan Lio
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| | - Wei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| | - Amy S Paller
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St Clair, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Chenjie Xu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
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