Sensitivity of cyto-c sensing. Cyto-c solutions of known concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 ng/mL) were used for AuNR-LSPR sensing. The absorbance spectrum (A) and the standard curve of the LSPR signal verse cyto-c concentrations were plotted (B). Results are mean ± SEM (n = 3), not significant (NS) p > 0.05, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001. Confocal microscopy images showed the investigation of aptamer-functionalized green fluorescence AuNRs localizing and binding on MMP-Ab with or without cyto-c, where the right panel shows the 3D slicing of X-Y, Y-Z and X-Z axis (C).