SERS microsensors for pH measurements in the lumen and ECM of stem cell derived human airway organoids

Chem Commun (Camb). 2023 Mar 14;59(22):3249-3252. doi: 10.1039/d2cc06582g.

Abstract

Patient derived organoids have the potential to improve the physiological relevance of in vitro disease models. However, the 3D architecture of these self-assembled cellular structures makes probing their biochemistry more complex than in traditional 2D culture. We explore the application of surface enhanced Raman scattering microsensors (SERS-MS) to probe local pH gradients within patient derived airway organoid cultures. SERS-MS consist of solid polymer cores decorated with surface immobilised gold nanoparticles which are functionalised with pH sensitive reporter molecule 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA). We demonstrate that by mixing SERS-MS into the extracellular matrix (ECM) of airway organoid cultures the probes can be engulfed by expanding organoids and report on local pH in the organoid lumen and ECM.

MeSH terms

  • Extracellular Matrix
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Organoids / metabolism
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Stem Cells

Substances

  • Gold