Engineering supramolecular ensemble for specific distinction of lung adenocarcinoma from inflammation

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Chemical, 2023-10, Vol.393, p.134126, Article 134126
• Main Authors: He, Leiliang, Shi, Kangqi, Liu, Xinlian, Wang, Ya, Song, Lulu, Wu, Di, Wu, Yongjun, Xiong, Yamin, Huang, Peili
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fluorescence imaging; Inflammation; Macrophages; Supramolecular ensemble; Tumor
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2023.134126

Specific discrimination of cancer from inflammation and normal tissue at the same time simply and sensitively, is of great significance for the diagnosis of cancer and the improvement of patient survival. Hence, we present the design of a targeted supramolecular fluorescent nanoprobe (SFNP) and modulate its supramolecular interaction between different functional modules via host-guest chemistry for identification of lung adenocarcinoma cancer from inflammation. Aptamer-targeted SFNP (SFNP-Aptamer) for recognition of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and folate-targeted SFNP (SFNP-Folate) for folate receptor recognition of activated macrophages in inflamed lesions, can be facilely fabricated just by modulating inter-module interactions. The supramolecular ensemble composed of SFNP-Aptamer and SFNP-Folate can not only specifically distinguish lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, activated macrophages and normal cells, but also successfully distinguish lung adenocarcinoma tissue, inflammatory tissue and normal tissue in tumor-adjacent tissue sections. So the supramolecular ensemble may have potential application for cancer inflammation diagnosis. •Engineering supramolecular ensemble has been constructed by modulating supramolecular interaction.•Avoiding multi-step sequential synthesis and complex functional modification.•It effectively improves the sensitivity of tumor targeting imaging.•This can specifically discriminate lung adenocarcinoma cancer from inflammation.