MnO2 Nanotubes-based NanoSearchlight for Imaging of Multiple MicroRNAs in Live Cells

摘要

Sensitive assay and imaging of multiple low-abundance microRNAs (miRNAs) in living cells remain a grand challenge. Herein, based on polyelectrolyte induced reduction, a facile approach has been proposed to synthesize novel MnO2 nanotubes. Owing to the remarkably strong fluorescence quenching ability, low cytotoxicity and excellent colloid stability, the as-prepared MnO2 nanotubes showed great potential for simultaneous detection and imaging of multiple miRNAs in vitro and in situ in living cells for the first time. Besides, MnO2 nanotubes can be reduced to Mn²⁺ by intracellular acid pH or glutathione, which may serve as activatable contrast reagent for MRI. Therefore, the MnO2 nanotubes based probes, termed “NanoSearchlight”, provide a promising, multimodal imaging tool for precise and accurate diagnosis and prognosis of cancers.