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Fig. 8 | Journal of Biological Engineering

Fig. 8

From: Strategies for using nanoprobes to perceive and treat cancer activity: a review

Fig. 8

a Schematic illustration of the miR-34a beacon delivery system for targeted intracellular recognition of miR-34a based on HA-coated nanocontainers that encapsulate the miR-34a beacons (bHNCs); consecutive processes of (i) binding to CD44 receptors, (ii) internalization into an endosome, (iii) disassembly of bHNCs leading to the destabilization of endosome membranes after pH reduction, and (iv) final displacement of the miR-34a beacons from the HNCs permitting transport into the cytoplasm. b In vivo and ex vivo imaging of miR-34a in an orthotopic breast cancer model. In vivo optical fluorescence images of MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing mice after the intravenous injection of bHNCs, bPNCs, and bHNCs after free HA treatment (10 mg/mL of HA in PBS per animal) at various time intervals. Tumor regions are indicated by a white dashed boundary. c Total photon counts in tumor regions after injection of bHNCs, bPNCs, and bHNCs after free HA treatment (miR-34a beacon concentration = 5 nmol). d Ex vivo optical fluorescence images of tumors excised 1-h post injection of bHNCs, bPNCs, and bHNCs after free HA treatment. The intensity maps on the fluorescence images are displayed as the normalized photon counts (NC) per point with laser power (5.0 μW) and integration time (0.4 s). Reproduced with permission from ref. 42; Copyright 2012 ACS Publications

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