A novel, ultra sensible biosensor built by layer-by-layer covalent attachment of a receptor for diagnosis of tumor growth

In the presented research, a novel, ultra sensitive biosensor for the impedimetric detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is introduced. The human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGF-R1, Flt-1) was used as a biorecognition element for the first time. The immobilization of VEGF-R1 on glassy carbon electrodes was carried out using layer-by-layer covalent attachment of VEGF-R1. The electrochemical properties of the layers constructed on the electrodes were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The differences in electron transfer resistance (R_et) between the working solution and the biosensor surface, recorded by the redox probe K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆], confirmed the binding of VEGF to VEGF-R1. The new biosensor allowed a detection limit of 100 fg mL⁻¹ with a linear range of 100–600 fg mL⁻¹ to be obtained. The biosensor also exhibited good repeatability (with a correlation coefficient of 1.95%), and reproducibility.     

Mobility Tuning of Polyrotaxane Surfaces to Stimulate Myocyte Differentiation

Polyrotaxanes, consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) and α‐cyclodextrins, are mechanically interlocked supermolecules. The structure allows α‐cyclodextrins to move along the polymer, referred to as molecular mobility. Here, polyrotaxane‐based triblock copolymers, composed of polyrotaxanes with different degrees of methylation and poly(benzyl methacrylate) at both terminals, are coated on culture surfaces to fabricate dynamic biointerfaces for myocyte differentiation. The molecular mobility increases with the degree of methylation and the contact angle hysteresis of water droplets and air bubbles. When the mouse myoblast cell line C2C12 is cultured on methylated polyrotaxane surfaces, the expression levels of myogenesis‐related genes, myogenin (Myog) and myosin heavy chain (Myhc) are altered by the degree of methylation. Polyrotaxane surfaces with intermediate degrees of methylation promote the highest expression levels among all the surfaces. The polyrotaxane surface provides an appropriate environment for myocyte differentiation by accurately adjusting the degrees of methylation.     

手性Ru复合物催化剂的固载化及其不对称氢转移反应催化应用

Chiral Ru-BsDPEN, (1R,2R)-N-p-benzenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, catalyst has been immobilized on a mesoporous molecular sieve of MCM-41 type successfully. A hybrid mesoporous molecular sieve was synthesized using a precursor bearing benzene group, which in organosilica were sulfonylated and reacted with (1R,2R)-l,2-diphenylethylenediamine and [RuC1E(p-cymene)]2 successively to afford immobilized catalyst. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore size decreased after immobilization of catalyst onto the mesoporous material. Enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by immobilized catalyst showed the highest yield of 22.36% and e.e. value of 31.47% by using acetophenone as substrate when reaction time was 48 and 16 h respectively.     

Electro‐nano Diagnostic Platforms for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Cancer Biomarkers

In this study, a bimetallic nanomaterial‐based electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cancer biomarkers at the same time. CEA and VEGF biomarkers are indicators for colon and breast cancers and stomach cancers, respectively. During the study, gold nanoparticle (AuNp), lead nanoparticle (PbNp), copper nanoparticle (CuNp) and magnetic gamma iron(III)oxide (γFe₂O₃ Np) were synthesized, characterized and used together for the first time in the structure of an electrochemical biosensor based on anti‐CEA and anti‐VEGF. For this purpose, Au SPE based sandwich immunosensor was fabricated by using labeled anti‐CEA (labeled with Pb⁺²) and labeled anti‐VEGF (labeled with Cu⁺²). As a result, CEA and VEGF biomarkers were detected following the oxidation peaks of label metals (Pb⁺² and Cu⁺²) by using differential pulse voltammetry. After the experimental parameters were optimized, the linear range was found in the concentration range between 25 ng/mL and 600 ng/mL with the relative standard deviation (RSD) value of (n=3 for 600 ng/mL) 3.33 % and limit of detection (LOD) value of 4.31 ng/mL for CEA biomarker. On the other hand, the linear range was found in the concentration range between 0.2 ng/mL and 12.5 ng/mL with the RSD value of (n=3 for 12.5 ng/mL) 5.31 % and LOD value of 0.014 ng/mL for VEGF biomarker. Lastly, sample application studies for synthetic plasma sample and interference studies with dopamine, ascorbic acid, BSA, cysteine and IgG were carried out.     

Development of a Dual‐Functional Hydrogel Using RGD and Anti‐VEGF Aptamer

Synthetic molecular libraries hold great potential to advance the biomaterial development. However, little effort is made to integrate molecules with molecular recognition abilities selected from different libraries into a single biomolecular material. The purpose of this work is to incorporate peptides and nucleic acid aptamers into a porous hydrogel to develop a dual‐functional biomaterial. The data show that an anti‐integrin peptide can promote the attachment and growth of endothelial cells in a 3D porous poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel and an antivascular endothelial growth factor aptamer can sequester and release VEGF of high bioactivity. Importantly, the dual‐functional porous hydrogel enhances the growth and survival of endothelial cells. This work demonstrates that molecules selected from different synthetic libraries can be integrated into one system for the development of novel biomaterials.     

A serum-stable branched dimeric anti-VEGF peptide blocks tumor growth via anti-angiogenic activity

Angiogenesis is critical and indispensable for tumor progression. Since VEGF is known to play a central role in angiogenesis, the disruption of VEGF-VEGF receptor system is a promising target for anti-cancer therapy. Previously, we reported that a hexapeptide (RRKRRR, RK6) blocked the growth and metastasis of tumor by inhibiting VEGF binding to its receptors. In addition, dRK6, the D-form derivative of RK6, retained its biological activity with improved serum stability. In the present study, we developed a serum-stable branched dimeric peptide (MAP2-dRK6) with enhanced anti-VEGF and anti-tumor activity. MAP2-dRK6 is more effective than dRK6 in many respects: inhibition of VEGF binding to its receptors, VEGF- and tumor conditioned medium-induced proliferation and ERK signaling of endothelial cells, and VEGF-induced migration and tube formation of endothelial cells. Moreover, MAP2-dRK6 blocks in vivo growth of VEGF-secreting colorectal cancer cells by the suppression of angiogenesis and the subsequent induction of tumor cell apoptosis. Our observations suggest that MAP2-dRK6 can be a prospective therapeutic molecule or lead compound for the development of drugs for various VEGF-related angiogenic diseases.     

Supramolecular polyseudorotaxanes formation between star‐block copolymer and α‐cyclodextrin: From outer block to diblock inclusion complexation

A series of star‐block poly(L ‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) (SPLLA‐b‐PEO) copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and DCC chemistry. The inclusion complexes of SPLLA‐b‐PEO copolymers and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) were prepared with two different methods. FTIR, ¹H NMR, WAXD, DSC, and TGA indicate that α‐CD only can be threaded onto PEO blocks in inclusion complexes of α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO1.1K‐a, α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO2K‐a, and α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO5K‐a formed without heating and ultrasonication, and can be threaded onto both PLLA and PEO blocks in inclusion complexes of α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO1.1K‐b, α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO2K‐b, and α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO5K‐b formed with heating and ultrasonication. Namely, α‐CDs can be threaded onto PEO blocks and the flanking bulky PLLA blocks of star‐block copolymers to form stable polyseudorotaxanes with heating method and ultrasonication to conquer the activation energy barrier of the inclusion complexation between bulky PLLA and α‐CD and the effect of the steric hindrance of star‐block copolymers. With the alteration of preparing methods, the inclusion complexes of α‐CD with the outer PEO block or PEO and PLLA blocks were obtained successfully. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2754–2762, 2009     

Qualitative and quantitative comparison of N‐glycans between pig endothelial and islet cells by high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry‐based strategy

N‐glycan structures released from miniature pig endothelial and islet cells were determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF), negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) MS/MS and normal‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (NP‐HPLC) combined with exoglycosidase digestion. Totally, the identified structures were 181 N‐glycans including 129 sialylated and 18 α‐galactosylated glycans from pig endothelial cells and 80 N‐glycans including 41 sialylated and one α‐galactosylated glycans from pig islet cells. The quantity of the α‐galactosylated glycans from pig islet cells was certainly neglectable compared to pig endothelial cells. A number of NeuGc‐terminated N‐glycans (80 from pig endothelial cells and 13 from pig islet cells) are newly detected by our mass spectrometric strategies. The detailed structural information will be a matter of great interest in organ or cell xenotransplantation using α 1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout (GalT‐KO) pig. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of an Amperometric Immunosensor for the Quantification of Staphylococcus aureus Using Self‐Assembled Monolayer‐Modified Electrodes as Immobilization Platforms

Amperometric immunosensors for the detection and quantification of S. aureus using MPA self‐assembled monolayer modified electrodes for the immobilization of the immunoreagents are reported. Two different immunosensor configurations were compared. A competitive mode, in which protein A‐bearing S. aureus cells and antiRbIgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) compete for the binding sites of RbIgG immobilized onto the 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified electrode, was evaluated. Moreover, a sandwich configuration in which S. aureus cells were immobilized onto the MPA SAM, and RbIgG and antiRbIgG labeled with HRP were further linked to the electrode surface, was also tested. In both cases, TTF was used as the redox mediator of the HRP reaction with H₂O₂, and it was co‐immobilized onto the MPA‐modified gold electrode. After optimization of the working variables for both configurations, the analytical performance of the amperometric measurements carried out at 0.00 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) showed that the competitive immunosensor exhibited a lower limit of detection (1.6×10⁵ S. aureus cells mL^?1), as well as a better repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements.     

A Reagentless Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on 1,6‐Hexanedithiol and Nano‐Au Self‐Assembled Monolayers

An amperometric tyrosinase biosensor was developed via a simple and effective immobilization method using the self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) technique. The organic monolayer film was first formed by the spontaneous assembly of thiolor sulfur compound (1,6‐hexanedithiol, HDT) from solution onto gold electrode. When these thiol‐rich surfaces were exposed to Au colloid, the sulfurs form strong bonds to gold nanoparticles, anchoring the clusters to the electrode substrate. After the assembly of gold nanoparticles layer, a new nano‐Au surface was obtained. Thus, the tyrosinase could be immobilized onto the electrode. The tyrosinase retained its activity well in such an immobilization matrix. The various experimental variables for the enzyme electrode were optimized. The resulting biosensor can reach 95% of steady‐state current within 10 s, and the trend in the sensitivity of different phenolic compounds was as follows: catechol>phenol>p‐cresol. In addition, the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K and the stability of the enzyme electrode were estimated.     

Improved preparation of chiral stationary phases via immobilization of polysaccharide derivative‐based selectors using diisocyanates

The classical method for the preparation of immobilized polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) with a diisocyanate was improved. Cellulose or amylose was directly coated onto 3‐aminopropyl silica gel after it was dissolved in a mixture of N,N‐dimethylacetamide, LiCl, and pyridine, then immobilized onto silica gel with a diisocyanate, and finally allowed to react with an excess of corresponding isocyanate. Four polysaccharide derivatives, 3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate and 3,5‐dichlorophenylcarbamate of cellulose, and 3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate and 5‐chloro‐2‐methylphenylcarbamate of amylose, were immobilized onto silica gel utilizing this method. Compared with the classical diisocyanate method, the improved procedure avoided the derivatization and regeneration of 6‐hydroxyl groups of cellulose and amylose, and thus showed an advantage for simple and economical preparation. The relationships among the amount of diisocyanate used, immobilization efficiency, and enantioseparation on the cellulose‐based CSPs were investigated. Also, the solvent durability of the obtained CSPs was examined with eluents containing chloroform or THF. By utilizing these eluents, the chiral recognition abilities of the obtained CSPs for some of the tested racemates were improved.     

Direct Electron Transfer Reaction of Ascorbate Oxidase Immobilized by a Self‐Assembled Monolayer and Polymer Membrane Combined System

This paper reports a novel enzyme‐immobilization method for the direct electron transfer (DET) reaction of ascorbate oxidase from Acremonium sp. HI‐25 (ASOM). ASOM was adsorbed onto a gold electrode modified with a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of alkanethiol derivatives and immobilized by a cationic polymer membrane and anionic ω‐carboxyalkanethiol combined system. The redox responses of the immobilized ASOM were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. We found that the DET reaction of ASOM was facilitated by this novel immobilization. On the other hand, the redox responses of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐modified ASOMs were also investigated. ASOM was modified with two types of PEO which possess straight chain‐shaped (PEO₂₀₀₀) or comb‐shaped conformation (PM₆₇). As a result, the DET reactions of PEO‐modified ASOMs were also facilitated by this immobilization method. We concluded that this immobilization method is effective for promoting the DET reaction of ASOMs.     

邻-(N-芳酰基-N-甲氨基苯)-二硫化合物的合成：通过N-甲基-2-单芳基苯并噻唑啉在溶剂中的自发偶联反应和它们的血管内皮生长因子抑制活性

N-甲基-2-单芳基苯并噻唑啉 (1) 在固体状态时可以稳定地储藏在空气中。但是,它们在不同溶剂中却表现出了不同的行为。在醇溶液或二甲亚砜-水的体系中,1相对稳定;而在其它有机溶剂如：丙酮,氯仿,二氯甲烷和乙酸乙酯等溶剂中,会发生自发偶联反应生成相应的邻-(N-芳酰基-N-甲氨基苯)-二硫化合物 (2)。对这些新的化合物 (1) 和 (2) 进行了体外人乳腺癌细胞 (MDA-MB-231) 血管内皮生长因子靶点筛选,大部分化合物都表现出了抑制活性。实验结果表明这两类化合物 (1) 和 (2) 作为血管内皮生长因子抑制剂值得进行深入研究。     

Noncovalent Immobilization of Molecular Electrocatalysts for Chemical Synthesis: Efficient Electrochemical Alcohol Oxidation with a Pyrene–TEMPO Conjugate

Electrocatalytic methods for organic synthesis could offer sustainable alternatives to traditional redox reactions, but strategies are needed to enhance the performance of molecular catalysts designed for this purpose. The synthesis of a pyrene‐tethered TEMPO derivative (TEMPO=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐N ‐oxyl) is described, which undergoes facile in situ noncovalent immobilization onto a carbon cloth electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis studies demonstrate that the immobilized catalyst exhibits much higher activity relative to 4‐acetamido–TEMPO, an electronically similar homogeneous catalyst. In preparative electrolysis experiments with a series of alcohol substrates and the immobilized catalyst, turnover numbers and frequencies approach 2 000 and 4 000 h⁻¹, respectively. The synthetic utility of the method is further demonstrated in the oxidation of a sterically hindered hydroxymethylpyrimidine precursor to the blockbuster drug, rosuvastatin.     

Covalent VEGF protein immobilization on resorbable polymeric surfaces

Vascular endothelial growth factor type protein (VEGF), a potent angiogenic effector molecule, was successfully covalently immobilized onto the surfaces of the resorbable polymers poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) through a three‐step strategy. The surfaces were first covalently grafted with poly(acrylic acid) using non‐destructive and solvent free vapor‐phase grafting. A diamine spacer was coupled to the carboxylic acid pendant groups on the graft chains using EDC/NHS chemistry and VEGF was finally covalently attached to the amine linkers. The chemistry and topography of the modified substrates were quantitatively and qualitatively verified with XPS, ATR‐FTIR, UV–VIS, SEM, and ELISA. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Injectable Nanohybrid Scaffold for Biopharmaceuticals Delivery and Soft Tissue Engineering

An injectable nanofibrous hydrogel scaffold integrated with growth factors (GFs) loaded polysaccharide nanoparticles was developed that specifically allows for targeted adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) encapsulation and soft tissue engineering. The nanofibrous hydrogel was produced via biological conjugation of biotin‐terminated star‐shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐Biotin) and streptavidin‐functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA‐Streptavidin). The polysaccharide nanoparticles were noncovalently assembled via electrostatic interactions between low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) and N,N,N‐trimethylchitosan chloride (TMC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was entrapped in the LMWH/TMC nanoparticles by affinity interactions with LMWH.     

Highly Sensitive Functionalized Conducting Copolypyrrole Film for DNA Sensing and Protein‐resistant

In order to exploit the applications of polypyrrole (PPy) derivatives in biosensors and bioelectronics, the different immobilization mechanisms of biomolecules onto differently functionalized conducting PPy films are investigated. Pyrrole and pyrrole derivatives with carboxyl and amino groups were copolymerized with ω‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐octylthiol self‐assembled on Au surface by the method of the chemical polymerization to form a layer of the copolymer film, i.e., poly[pyrrole‐co‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐caproic acid] (poly(Py‐co‐PyCA)) and poly[pyrrole‐co‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐hexylamine] (poly(Py‐co‐PyHA)), in which the carboxyl groups in poly(Py‐co‐PyCA) were activated to the ester groups. Based on the structure characteristics, the immobilization/hybridization of DNA molecules on PPy, poly(Py‐co‐PyCA) and poly(Py‐co‐PyHA) were surveyed by cyclic voltammograms measurements. For differently functionalized copolymers, the immobilization mechanisms of DNA are various. Besides the electrochemical properties of the composite electrodes of PPy and its copolymers being detected before and after bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption, the kinetic process of protein binding was determined by surface plasmon resonance of spectroscopy. Since few BSA molecules could anchor onto the PPy and its copolymers surfaces, it suggests this kind of conducting polymers can be applied as the protein‐resistant material.     

Direct Voltammetry of Copper,Zinc‐Superoxide Dismutase Immobilized onto Electrodeposited Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles: Fabrication of Amperometric Superoxide Biosensor

Direct electron transfer of immobilized copper, zinc‐superoxide dismutase (SOD) onto electrodeposited nickel‐oxide (NiOx) nanoparticle modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode displays a well defined redox process with formal potential of ?0.03 V in pH 7.4. Cyclic voltammetry was used for deposition of (NiOx) nanoparticles and immobilization of SOD onto GC electrode. The surface coverage (Γ) and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) of immobilized SOD are 1.75×10^?11 mol cm^?2 and 7.5±0.5 s^?1, respectively. The biosensor shows a fast amperometric response (3 s) toward superoxide at a wide concentration range from 10 µM to 0.25 mM with sensitivity of 13.40 nA µM^?1 cm^?2 and 12.40 nA µM^?1 cm^?2, detection limit of 2.66 and 3.1 µM based on anodically and cathodically detection. This biosensor exhibits excellent stability, reproducibility and long life time.