Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Wound healing is a highly complex biological process, which is accompanied by changes in cell phenotype, variations in protein expression, and the production of active biomolecules. Currently, the detection of proteins in cells is done by immunostaining where the proteins in fixed cells are detected by labeled antibodies. However, immunostaining cannot provide information about dynamic processes in living cells, within the whole tissue. Here, an easy method is presented to detect the transition of epithelial to mesenchymal cells during wound healing. The method employs DNA-coated gold nanoparticle fluorescent nanoprobes to sense the production of Vimentin mRNA expressed in mesenchymal cells. Fluorescence microscopy is used to achieve temporal detection of Vimentin mRNA in wounds. 3D light-sheet microscopy is utilized to observe the dynamic expression of Vimentin mRNA spatially around the wounded site in skin tissue. The use of DNA-gold nanoprobes to detect mRNA expression during wound healing opens up new possibilities for the study of real-time mechanisms in complex biological processes.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/smll.201703489

Type

Journal article

Journal

Small

Publication Date

03/2018

Volume

14

Keywords

DNA, gold, mRNA sensing, nanoflares, nanoparticles, skin, wound healing