MOF-Derived Cu-BTC Nanowire-Embedded 2D Leaf-like Structured ZIF Composite-Based Aptamer Sensors for Real-Time In Vivo Insulin Monitoring

Insulin, which is a hormone produced by the β-cells of the pancreas, regulates the glucose levels in the blood and can transport glucose into cells to produce glycogen or triglycerides. Insulin deficiency can lead to hyperglycemia and diabetes. Therefore, insulin detection is critical in clinical diagnosis. In this study, disposable Au electrodes were modified with copper(II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC)/leaf-like zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-L) for insulin detection. The aptamers are easily immobilized on the Cu-BTC/ZIF-L composite by physical adsorption and facilitated the specific interaction between aptamers and insulin. The Cu-BTC/ZIF-L composite-based aptasensor presented a wide linear insulin detection range (0.1 pM to 5 μM) and a low limit of detection of 0.027 pM. In addition, the aptasensor displayed high specificity, good reproducibility and stability, and favorable practicability in human serum samples. For the in vivo tests, Cu-BTC/ZIF-L composite-modified electrodes were implanted in non-diabetic and diabetic mice, and insulin was quantified using electrochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.