Upconverting nanoparticles based nanodevice for DNAzymes amplified miRNAs detection and artificially controlled chemo-gene therapy

Despite the great promise of cancer theranostic platforms, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are still highly challenging. In this work, nanodevice for intracellular miRNAs detection and artificially controlled drug releasement was developed based on upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). For analysis aspect, DNAzymes amplified miRNA-21 detection was carried out, giving excellent sensitivity with detection limits of 1.8 x 10-11 M. Moreover, intracellular fluorescence imaging permitted in situ diagnoses of miRNA-21 expression in living cells. Once the test identifies tumor markers, treatment can be performed. Here, artificially controlled chemo-gene synergetic therapy nanodevice was obtained by integrating UCNPs with photocleavable linkers (PC-linkers). In vitro and in vivo experiments verified the potential application of prepared nanodevice in cancer theranostics.

Automated summary

In this study, a nanodevice for intracellular miRNA detection and controlled drug release was developed based on upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). The device showed high sensitivity in miRNA-21 detection and allowed in situ diagnoses of miRNA-21 expression in living cells. Additionally, the integration of UCNPs with photocleavable linkers (PC-linkers) enabled artificially controlled chemo-gene synergetic therapy. The prepared nanodevice demonstrated potential application in cancer theranostics through in vitro and in vivo experiments.