Dual-signal readout sensing of ATP content in single dental pulp stem cells during differentiation via functionalized glass nanopipettes

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2024-03, Vol.1293, p.342200-342200, Article 342200
• Main Authors: Guo, Wenting, Wang, Yong, Qi, Guohua, Wang, Jiafeng, Ren, Jiangtao, Jin, Yongdong, Wang, Erkang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine triphosphate; Adenosine Triphosphate - chemistry; Cell Differentiation; Dental Pulp; Dental pulp stem cells; Dual signal system; Gold - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanopipette; Stem Cells
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342200

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is regarded as the “energy currency” in living cells, so real-time quantification of content variation of intracellular ATP is highly desired for understanding some important physiological processes. Due to its single-molecule readout ability, nanopipette sensing has emerged as a powerful technique for molecular sensing. In this study, based on the effect of targeting-aptamer binding on ionic current, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), we reported a dual-signal readout nanopipette sensing system for monitoring ATP content variation at the subcellular level. In the presence of ATP, the complementary DNA-modified gold nanoparticles (cDNAs-AuNPs) were released from the inner wall of the nanopipette, which leads to sensitive response variations in ionic current rectification and fluorescence intensity. The developed nanopipette sensor was capable of detecting ATP in single cells, and the fluctuation of ATP content in the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) was further quantified with this method. The study provides a more reliable nanopipette sensing platform due to the introduction of fluorescence readout signals. Significantly, the study of energy fluctuation during cell differentiation from the perspective of energy metabolism is helpful for differentiation regulation and cell therapy. [Display omitted] •Stem cells are promising for cell therapy due to their differentiation nature and self-renewal capacity.•The understanding of energy metabolisms during cell differentiation is helpful for differentiation regulation and cell therapy.•A dual-signal readout nanopipette sensing platform was constructed for reliable ATP detection.•The good sensitivity and selectivity make nanopipette sensors capable for ATP detection in single cells.•The ATP content in single cells increases during the differentiation of DPSCs.