Liposome–exosome hybrids for in situ detection of exosomal miR-1246 in breast cancer

Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggest that exosomal miRNAs are potential biomarkers for cancer monitoring. An urgent need remains for the in situ detection of exosomal miRNAs at low concentrations without destroying the exosome structure. In the present study, a novel sensitive exosomal miR-1246 in situ detection strategy has been developed by integrating the CRISPR/Cas13a system with the formation of hybrids between exosomes and cationic liposomes. The liposomes were loaded with CRISPR/Cas13a, CRISPR RNA (crRNA), and RNA reporter probes. In the presence of exosomes, the liposome–exosome hybrids were formed through electrostatic interactions, and CRISPR/Cas13a was activated to cleave the reporter probes by exosomal miR-1246. The acquired fluorescence signal showed a linear response to the logarithm of MCF-7 exosome concentrations, indicating a quantitative response to exosomal miR-1246. The regression equation is y = 5021 log C − 9976 (R² = 0.9985) with a limit of detection of 3 × 10² particles per mL. This strategy could not only be used to detect serum exosomal miR-1246 in breast cancer patients but also to distinguish early form advanced disease. This strategy can be exploited in future exosomal miRNA analyses.