Stimuli-responsive probes for amplification-based imaging of miRNAs in living cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important biomarkers in biomedicine and bioimaging due to their roles in various physiological and pathological processes. Real-time and in situ monitoring of dynamic fluctuation of miRNAs in living cells is crucial for understanding these processes. However, current miRNA imaging probes still have some limitations, including the lack of effective amplification methods for low abundance miRNAs bioanalysis and uncontrollable activation, leading to background signals and potential false-positive results. Therefore, researchers have been integrating activatable devices with miRNA amplification techniques to design stimuli-responsive nanoprobes for “on-demand” and precise imaging of miRNAs in living cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances of stimuli-responsive probes for the amplification-based imaging of miRNAs in living cells and discuss the future challenges and opportunities in this field, aiming to provide valuable insights for accurate disease diagnosis and monitoring.