Ma Yanmei, Hu Weikang, Hu Jian, Ruan Muyang, Hu Jie, Yang Ming, Zhang Yi, Xie Hanhan, Hu Chengzhi
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
Microsyst Nanoeng. 2024 Nov 19;10(1):171. doi: 10.1038/s41378-024-00814-1.
Living cells can rapidly adjust their metabolic activities in response to external stimuli, leading to fluctuations in intracellular temperature and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Monitoring these parameters is essential for understanding cellular metabolism, particularly during dynamic biological processes. In this study, we present a bifunctional nanoprobe capable of simultaneous measurement of ROS levels and temperature within single cells. The nanoprobe features two individually addressable nanoelectrodes, with platinum (Pt) and nickel (Ni) coatings on both sides. At the tip, these two metal layers form a nano-thermocouple, enabling precise intracellular temperature measurements, while the Pt layer facilitates selective ROS detection. This dual functionality allows for real-time monitoring of cellular responses during synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer cells and zebrafish embryos subjected to mitochondrial toxic stress. Our results demonstrate that the nanoprobe effectively measures increases in temperature and ROS levels in HeLa cells undergoing chemo-photothermal therapy, as well as in chemically stimulated zebrafish embryos. By providing detailed analysis of submicrometer-scale temperature and ROS variations within living cells, this nanoprobe offers valuable insights into cellular processes and holds promise for early disease detection and drug development.
活细胞能够迅速根据外部刺激调整其代谢活动，导致细胞内温度和活性氧（ROS）水平波动。监测这些参数对于理解细胞代谢至关重要，特别是在动态生物过程中。在本研究中，我们展示了一种能够同时测量单个细胞内ROS水平和温度的双功能纳米探针。该纳米探针具有两个可单独寻址的纳米电极，两侧分别涂有铂（Pt）和镍（Ni）涂层。在尖端，这两个金属层形成一个纳米热电偶，能够精确测量细胞内温度，而Pt层则有助于选择性检测ROS。这种双重功能使得在癌细胞和遭受线粒体毒性应激的斑马鱼胚胎的协同化学光热疗法期间能够实时监测细胞反应。我们的结果表明，该纳米探针能够有效地测量接受化学光热疗法的HeLa细胞以及化学刺激的斑马鱼胚胎中的温度升高和ROS水平。通过提供对活细胞内亚微米级温度和ROS变化的详细分析，这种纳米探针为细胞过程提供了有价值的见解，并有望用于早期疾病检测和药物开发。
