Issue 3, 2019

Detecting and targeting senescent cells using molecularly imprinted nanoparticles

Abstract

The progressive accumulation of senescent cells in tissues in response to damage importantly contributes to pathophysiological conditions such as fibrosis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's and ageing. Consistent with this, eliminating senescent cells prolongs the lifespan and healthspan in animals and ameliorates certain diseases. Detecting and clearing senescent cells from human tissues could therefore have a significant diagnostic and prognostic impact. However, identifying senescent cells in vivo has proven to be complex. To address this, we characterized and validated a panel of novel membrane markers of senescence. Here, we show the application of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) against an extracellular epitope of one of these markers, B2M, to detect senescent cells in vitro and in vivo. We show that nanoMIPs do not elicit toxic responses in the cells or in mice and successfully recognize old animals, which have a higher proportion of senescent cells in their organs. Importantly, nanoMIPs loaded with drugs can specifically kill senescent cells. Our results provide a proof-of-principle assessment of specific and safe nanotechnology-based approaches for senescent cell detection and clearance with potential clinical relevance.

Graphical abstract: Detecting and targeting senescent cells using molecularly imprinted nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
11 dek 2018
Accepted
14 fev 2019
First published
14 fev 2019

Nanoscale Horiz., 2019,4, 757-768

Detecting and targeting senescent cells using molecularly imprinted nanoparticles

A. E. Ekpenyong-Akiba, F. Canfarotta, B. Abd H., M. Poblocka, M. Casulleras, L. Castilla-Vallmanya, G. Kocsis-Fodor, M. E. Kelly, J. Janus, M. Althubiti, E. Piletska, S. Piletsky and S. Macip, Nanoscale Horiz., 2019, 4, 757 DOI: 10.1039/C8NH00473K

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements