Citation: Honghao Ma, Yilin Chen, Zhichao Liu, Yang Tian. Long-term stable tetrahedral DNA functionalized upconversion nanoparticles for point-of-care detection of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(7): 112159. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112159 shu

Long-term stable tetrahedral DNA functionalized upconversion nanoparticles for point-of-care detection of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin

Honghao Ma ^a ,
Yilin Chen ^a ,
Zhichao Liu ^{a, b, *,} ,
Yang Tian ^{a, b, *,}

a.
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
b.
Institute of Magnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging in Medicine, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China

zcliu@chem.ecnu.edu.cn

ytian@chem.ecnu.edu.cn

Received Date: 21 May 2025
Revised Date: 18 September 2025
Accepted Date: 21 November 2025
Available Online: 22 November 2025

Figures(5)

Achieving point-of-care detection of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) contributes to the early diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI), but the lack of highly sensitive and long-term stable detection methods is a major challenge. In this work, tetrahedral DNA (tDNA)-functionalized large-sized upconversion nanoparticles (t-UCNP₃₀₀) were synthesized with high luminescence intensity. Leveraging the dual effects of surface charge density and the rigid structure of tDNA, the developed t-UCNP₃₀₀ exhibited long-term stability for over 60 days after being stored in phosphate buffer at 25 ℃ and pH 7.4, with no obvious aggregation and only slight luminescence attenuation. By using this developed t-UCNP₃₀₀, a luminescent lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) strip was developed for point-of-care detection of NGAL, with a detection linearity range of 2.00–250 ng/mL and limit of detection (LOD) of 1.00 ± 0.07 ng/mL (S/N = 3). Taking advantage of the developed LFIA strip for NGAL with high selectivity and a rapid response time of < 5 min, it was successfully applied for the determination of NGAL in artificial urine samples.
- Upconversion nanoparticles,
- Tetrahedral DNA,
- Lateral flow immunoassay,
- NGAL detection,
- Point-of-care detection
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