Biological properties and DNA nanomaterial biosensors of exosomal miRNAs in disease diagnosis

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are important biomarkers in molecular diagnostics, prognosis, and personalized medicine. The miRNAs that are found within exosomes, also known as exo-miRs, have been shown to demonstrate increased levels of both abundance and stability. Thus, exo-miRs show potential as a reliable biomarker for further investigation. Due to the programmable nanostructures, biocompatibility, and excellent molecular recognition ability, biosensing platforms based on DNA nanomaterial are considered promising for detecting exo-miRs in clinical analysis, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and infectious diseases. Although considerable advancements have been achieved in exo-miR-based testing, there are ongoing challenges in accurately detecting and analyzing multiple targets concurrently at low concentrations in complex biological samples. The primary focus of our research is to thoroughly analyze the biogenesis of exo-miRs, carefully assess their levels of expression in various clinical diseases, and comprehensively investigate their correlations with a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infection, and neurodegenerative disorders. We also examined recent progress in DNA nanomaterial-based detection methods for exo-miRs. This study explores the challenges and intricacies faced during the creation and execution of exo-miR tests within a clinical setting to diagnose diseases. The successful development and implementation of DNA nanomaterials for exo-miR detection can significantly revolutionize the early detection, monitoring, and management of various medical conditions, leading to enhanced healthcare outcomes.