VEGFR-2 adhesive nanoprobes reveal early diabetic retinopathy in vivo.
Biosens Bioelectron
; 237: 115476, 2023 Oct 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37437454
ABSTRACT
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a debilitating organ manifestation of diabetes. Absent of early diagnosis and intervention, vision tends to drastically and irreversibly decline. Previously, we showed higher vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) expression in diabetic microvessels, and the suitability of this molecule as a biomarker for early DR diagnosis. However, a hurdle to translation remained generation of biodegradable nanoprobes that are sufficiently bright for in vivo detection. Here, an adhesive fluorescent nanoprobe with high brightness was developed using biodegradable materials. To achieve that, a fluorophore with bulky hydrophobic groups was encapsulated in the nanoparticles to minimize fluorophore π-π stacking, which diminishes brightness at higher loading contents. The nanoprobe selectively targeted the VEGFR-2 under dynamic flow conditions. Upon systemic injection, the nanoprobes adhered in the retinal microvessels of diabetic mice and were visualized as bright spots in live retinal microscopy. Histology validated the in vivo results and showed binding of the nanoprobes to the microvascular endothelium and firmly adhering leukocytes. Leukocytes were found laden with nanoprobes, indicating the potential for payload transport across the blood-retinal barrier. Our results establish the translational potential of these newly generated nanoprobes in early diagnosis of DR.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Técnicas Biosensibles
/
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental
/
Retinopatía Diabética
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biosens Bioelectron
Asunto de la revista:
BIOTECNOLOGIA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos