A breakthrough in colorectal cancer (CRC) microRNA (miRNA) imaging was recently published online in J. Am. Chem. Soc. by Professors Yuan Quan and Yang Yanbing from the College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences at Wuhan University (WHU), in collaboration with Professor Ding Zhao from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (ZNWU).

The paper, Spatially Selective MicroRNA Imaging in Human Colorectal Cancer Tissues Using a Multivariate-Gated Signal Amplification Nanosensor, was co-authored by PhD students Zhang Xiaoming and Chen Wenhui, alongside Dr Wan Songlin from ZNWU. Professors Yuan, Yang, and Ding are the corresponding authors.

Multivariate-gated signal amplification for miRNA-21 imaging in colorectal cancer.

This study focuses on the aberrantly high expression of miRNA-21 in CRC and uses an innovative multivariate-gated signal amplification nanosensor to achieve high-sensitivity miRNA imaging. By combining enzyme-assisted catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) with upconversion nanoparticles, the research team significantly improved the specificity and signal-to-noise ratio of miRNA imaging, effectively reducing background noise. The nanosensor demonstrated excellent uptake efficiency in both live cells and living organisms. It was successfully applied to amplify miRNA-21 imaging in CRC clinical tissue samples, revealing its role in modulating CRC treatment efficacy by suppressing the hMSH2 protein.

This research offers new insights into miRNA imaging and the molecular mechanisms of cancer, with important implications for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Link to paper: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c16001