In a paper that was published, a biodegradable fluorescent nanoprobe was introduced by the research team led by Ali Hafezi-Moghadam, MD, Ph.D., a founding member of Mass General Brigham, to detect diabetic retinopathy (DR) in its early molecular stage.
Diabetes-related retinopathy is a common complication that can result in severe vision loss. The current clinical diagnosis relies on identifying structural damages that cannot be repaired. Early subclinical findings and intervention could radically further develop visualization for the rapidly developing population of people with diabetes. Biosensors and Bioelectronics is the journal that published the findings.
The researchers had previously developed fluorescent nanoprobes for molecular imaging and demonstrated that diabetes brought about an increase in the expression of the molecule VEGFR-2 in the eye.
“Early detection of diabetic complications is an unmet medical need. We have cleared a major roadblock in the clinical translation of our molecular imaging approach.”
Hafezi-Moghadam, associate professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School.
The nanoprobes bind to VEGFR-2, which is expressed in the retinal micro vessels, as soon as they enter the bloodstream. In the earliest stages of incipient DR, live retinal microscopy visualizations of the nanoprobe interactions are visible.
By making the nanoprobe biodegradable and bright enough for in vivo detection, the current work makes translation easier. Fluorophores in close proximity self-extinguish, so to beat this challenge, a fluorophore with cumbersome side arms that keep the adjoining particles under control was blended and stacked into the nanoprobe. The result was a biodegradable nanoprobe with adequate splendor for recognizing early DR in mice.
“A medical need that has not been met is the early diagnosis of diabetic complications. According to Hafezi-Moghadam, director of the Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI) at BWH and associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, “we have overcome a key hurdle toward clinical translation of our molecular imaging approach.” Our new findings pave the way for clinical testing of this tool with the intention of one day preventing diabetes-related vision loss.”
More information: Yuanlin Zhang et al, VEGFR-2 adhesive nanoprobes reveal early diabetic retinopathy in vivo, Biosensors and Bioelectronics (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115476
