DNA-Modified Nanowire Thermometer Uncovers Thermal Responses of Neuronal Soma and Neurites to H2O2 Treatment

Determining the temperature changes of the soma and the neurites with high spatial resolution would be of significance for investigating physiological activities and abnormal protein aggregation or misfolding, which can further offer insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we utilized a DNA hairpin structure with tetramethylrhodamine at its 3' end to modify the surface of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and obtained a SiNW-based thermometer. The thermometer exhibited high spatial resolution, excellent temperature response, favorable anti-interference capability and reversibility. Using the thermometer, we found a pronounced temperature increase in PC-12 cells upon H2O2 exposure and a more drastic thermal response of neurites to the stimulation compared to that of the soma, which may be related to the H2O2-induced opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. This work not only provides a method to simultaneously detect the temperature changes of the soma and the neurites with high spatial resolution but also offers valuable perspectives for understanding the thermodynamic mechanisms implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.