Hairpin-structured probe conjugated nano-graphene oxide for the cellular detection of connective tissue growth factor mRNA

Highlights: • A fluorescent probe based on nano-graphene oxide and hairpin-structured probes (HPs) was constructed. • This probe was employed to detect a potential abnormal scar biomarker CTGF mRNA in skin fibroblasts. • This probe can achieve the successful identification of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scar. • This probe also enabled the assessment of the effectiveness of anti-scarring drugs like Repsox and TGF-ßRI siRNA. - Abstract: Identification of abnormal scars at their early stage has attracted increasing attentions as the scars can only be assessed qualitatively and subjectively upon maturity, when no invasive procedure is involved. This report introduces a fluorescent probe that targets a potential abnormal scar biomarker (connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA) in skin fibroblasts. This probe is constructed of hairpin-structured probes (HPs) targeting CTGF mRNA and the nano-graphene oxide (nano-GO) base. The HPs are non-covalently absorbed on the surface of nano-GO, which pre-quenches the fluorescence of HPs. Close proximity of complementary CTGF mRNA would lead to preferential HP hybridization and dissociation from nano-GO, which restores the fluorescence signal from HPs. Utilizing this probe, we can distinguish abnormal fibroblasts derived from abnormal scars and assess the effectiveness of anti-scarring drugs like Repsox and transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor (TGF-ßRI) siRNA.