A study in Scientific Reports evaluated a photoacoustic polydopamine-indocyanine green (PDA-ICG) nanoprobe for detecting senescent cells. Senescent cells play a role in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, with potential adverse effects such as inflammation and tissue disruption. The PDA-ICG nanoprobe offers a method for identifying these cells, with implications for cancer diagnostics and treatment.
Background
Cellular senescence is a stable cell cycle arrest triggered by stressors such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and oncogenic signaling. Senescent cells produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and proteases, collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).
This phenomenon contributes to tumor progression and age-related diseases. Accurately identifying and visualizing these cells in vivo is crucial for understanding their role in cancer biology and developing targeted therapies.
Traditional methods for detecting senescent cells, such as β-galactosidase staining and immunohistochemistry, have limitations in terms of specificity and sensitivity. The introduction of advanced imaging techniques, particularly those utilizing nanoprobes, offers a promising avenue for enhancing the detection of senescent cells.
The PDA-ICG nanoprobe combines the photothermal properties of polydopamine with the fluorescence of indocyanine green, enabling both photoacoustic imaging and fluorescence imaging. This dual functionality is expected to improve the visualization of senescent cells.
The Current Study
The study used experimental techniques to evaluate the performance of the PDA-ICG nanoprobe. Human cancer cell lines, A549 and SK-MEL-103, were cultured and treated with varying concentrations of PDA-ICG to assess cell viability and nanoprobe internalization.
The MTS assay measured cell viability after treatment, and flow cytometry assessed nanoprobe internalization in live cells. After treatment, cells were washed to remove excess probes and stained with DAPI for flow cytometric analysis. Data were processed using FlowJo software to identify live, single-cell populations with internalized nanoprobe.
Cells were treated with chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and palbociclib, for a specified duration. After drug removal, the cells were stained with β-galactosidase to identify senescent cells. RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) were performed to measure the expression levels of senescence-associated genes.
Western blotting was conducted to analyze protein expression related to senescence, including p21 and pRb. Confocal microscopy was utilized to visualize the cellular localization of the PDA-ICG nanoprobe and assess its potential for imaging senescent cells.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the PDA-ICG nanoprobe was successfully internalized into cancer cells, with flow cytometry confirming significantly higher uptake in treated cells than controls. The MTS assay indicated no adverse effects on cell viability at the tested concentrations, supporting its potential for safe in vivo application.
The study also found that treatment with cisplatin and palbociclib successfully induced senescence in the respective cell lines, as evidenced by increased β-galactosidase activity. The expression of senescence-associated genes was significantly elevated in treated cells, further confirming the induction of senescence.
Confocal microscopy highlighted the PDA-ICG nanoprobe’s imaging capabilities, revealing distinct localization patterns within the cells. The nanoprobe’s dual imaging modality allowed for more precise visualization of senescent cells than traditional methods. The findings suggest that the PDA-ICG nanoprobe could serve as a valuable tool for studying the dynamics of senescence in cancer and other diseases.
The ability to visualize senescent cells in real time may facilitate the development of targeted therapies that eliminate these cells from the tumor microenvironment, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The study successfully demonstrated the utility of the PDA-ICG nanoprobe for detecting senescent cells in cancer. Combining the advantages of photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging, this innovative approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing the visualization of senescence in vivo. The findings underscore the importance of accurately identifying senescent cells in the context of cancer biology and therapeutic interventions.
Future research should focus on optimizing the nanoprobe for clinical applications and exploring its potential in various cancer models. The ability to monitor senescence dynamically could lead to significant advancements in cancer diagnostics and treatment, ultimately contributing to improved patient care and outcomes.
Journal Reference
Hartono, M., et al. (2024). Photoacoustic polydopamine-indocyanine green (PDA-ICG) nanoprobe for detection of senescent cells. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-79667-7, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79667-7
News
Study Shows Brain Signals Only Matter if They Arrive on Time
Signals are processed only if they reach the brain during brief receptive cycles. This timing mechanism explains how attention filters information and may inform therapies and brain-inspired technologies. It has long been recognized that [...]
Does Space-Time Really Exist?
Is time something that flows — or just an illusion? Exploring space-time as either a fixed “block universe” or a dynamic fabric reveals deeper mysteries about existence, change, and the very nature of reality. [...]
Unlocking hidden soil microbes for new antibiotics
Most bacteria cannot be cultured in the lab-and that's been bad news for medicine. Many of our frontline antibiotics originated from microbes, yet as antibiotic resistance spreads and drug pipelines run dry, the soil [...]
By working together, cells can extend their senses beyond their direct environment
The story of the princess and the pea evokes an image of a highly sensitive young royal woman so refined, she can sense a pea under a stack of mattresses. When it comes to [...]
Overworked Brain Cells May Hold the Key to Parkinson’s
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes uncovered a surprising reason why dopamine-producing neurons, crucial for smooth body movements, die in Parkinson’s disease. In mice, when these neurons were kept overactive for weeks, they began to falter, [...]
Old tires find new life: Rubber particles strengthen superhydrophobic coatings against corrosion
Development of highly robust superhydrophobic anti-corrosion coating using recycled tire rubber particles. Superhydrophobic materials offer a strategy for developing marine anti-corrosion materials due to their low solid-liquid contact area and low surface energy. However, [...]
This implant could soon allow you to read minds
Mind reading: Long a science fiction fantasy, today an increasingly concrete scientific goal. Researchers at Stanford University have succeeded in decoding internal language in real time thanks to a brain implant and artificial intelligence. [...]
A New Weapon Against Cancer: Cold Plasma Destroys Hidden Tumor Cells
Cold plasma penetrates deep into tumors and attacks cancer cells. Short-lived molecules were identified as key drivers. Scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), working with colleagues from Greifswald University Hospital and [...]
This Common Sleep Aid May Also Protect Your Brain From Alzheimer’s
Lemborexant and similar sleep medications show potential for treating tau-related disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that a commonly used sleep medication can restore normal sleep patterns and [...]
Sugar-Coated Nanoparticles Boost Cancer Drug Efficacy
A team of researchers at the University of Mississippi has discovered that coating cancer treatment carrying nanoparticles in a sugar-like material increases their treatment efficacy. They reported their findings in Advanced Healthcare Materials. Over a tenth of breast [...]
Nanoparticle-Based Vaccine Shows Promise in Fighting Cancer
In a study published in OncoImmunology, researchers from the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University have created a therapeutic vaccine that mobilizes the immune system to target cancer cells. The researchers demonstrated that virus peptides combined [...]
Quantitative imaging method reveals how cells rapidly sort and transport lipids
Lipids are difficult to detect with light microscopy. Using a new chemical labeling strategy, a Dresden-based team led by André Nadler at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) and [...]
Ancient DNA reveals cause of world’s first recorded pandemic
Scientists have confirmed that the Justinian Plague, the world’s first recorded pandemic, was caused by Yersinia pestis, the same bacterium behind the Black Death. Dating back some 1,500 years and long described in historical texts but [...]
“AI Is Not Intelligent at All” – Expert Warns of Worldwide Threat to Human Dignity
Opaque AI systems risk undermining human rights and dignity. Global cooperation is needed to ensure protection. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has changed how people interact, but it also poses a global risk to human [...]
Nanomotors: Where Are They Now?
First introduced in 2004, nanomotors have steadily advanced from a scientific curiosity to a practical technology with wide-ranging applications. This article explores the key developments, recent innovations, and major uses of nanomotors today. A [...]
Study Finds 95% of Tested Beers Contain Toxic “Forever Chemicals”
Researchers found PFAS in 95% of tested beers, with the highest levels linked to contaminated local water sources. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as forever chemicals, are gaining notoriety for their ability [...]
