Homogeneous immunoassay based on gold nanoparticles and visible absorption detection

A sensitive homogeneous immunoassay, using human serum albumin (HSA) as a model analyte coupled with simple visible absorption detection, has been developed. The new assay is based on the use of gold nanoparticles functionalized with the target protein, which compete with the analyte for the binding of a specific polyclonal antibody. The binding of antibodies to the functionalized nanoparticles determines a shift of the visible absorption maximum of the gold colloid, and quantification of the analyte could be obtained as the competitive inhibition of the binding of antibodies to the nanoparticles. The proposed immunoassay has been optimized and successfully applied to measuring HSA in human urine samples, in which results agreed well with those obtained by a nephelometric reference method.     

A novel immunoassay based on the dissociation of immunocomplex and fluorescence quenching by gold nanoparticles

This study reports a novel, simple and sensitive immunoassay using fluorescence quenching caused by gold nanoparticles coated with antibody. The method is based on a non-competitive heterogeneous immunoassay of human IgG conducted by the typical procedure of sandwich immunocomplex formation. Goat anti-human IgG was first adsorbed on polystyrene microwells, and human IgG analyte was captured by the primary antibody and then sandwiched by antibody labeled with gold nanoparticles. The sandwich-type immunocomplex was subsequently dissociated by the mixed solution of sodium hydroxide and trisodium citrate, the solution obtained, which contains gold nanoparticles coated with antibody, was used to quench fluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of fluorescein at 517 nm was inversely proportional to the logarithm of the concentration of human IgG in the dynamic range of 10-5000 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 4.7 ng mL⁻¹. The electrochemical experiments and the UV-vis measurements were applied to demonstrate whether the immunoglod was dissociated completely and whether the gold nanoparticles aggregated after being dissociated, respectively. The proposed system can be extended to detect target molecules such as other kinds of antigen and DNA strands, and has broad potential applications in disease diagnosis.     

Homogenous electrogenerated chemiluminescence immunoassay for human immunoglobulin G using N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol as luminescence label at gold nanoparticles modified paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode

A homogeneous electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay for human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) has been developed using a N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI) as luminescence label at gold nanoparticles modified paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE). ECL emission was electrochemically generated from the ABEI-labeled anti-hIgG antibody and markedly increased in the presence of hIgG antigen due to forming a more rigid structure of the ABEI moiety. The concentration of hIgG antigen was determined by the increase of ECL intensity at a gold nanoparticles modified PIGE. It was found that the ECL intensity of ABEI in presence of hydrogen peroxide was dramatically enhanced at gold nanoparticles modified PIGE in neutral aqueous solution and the detection limit of ABEI was 2 x 10(-14)mol/L (S/N=3). The integral ECL intensity was linearly related to the concentration of hIgG antigen from 3.0 x 10(-11) to 1.0 x 10(-9)g/mL with a detection limit of 1 x 10(-11)g/mL (S/N=3). The relative standard deviation was 3.1% at 1.0 x 10(-10)g/mL (n=11). This work demonstrates that the enhancement of the sensitivity of ECL and ECL immunoassay at a nanoparticles modified electrode is a promising strategy.     

Amperometric Immunosensor for Prostate Specific Antigen Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Ionic Liquid/Chitosan Hybrid Film

The hybrid film of gold nanoparticles/ionic liquid-chitosan (GNP/IL-Ch) was first prepared by a simple one-step synthesis and used as an efficient immobilization matrix to fabricate an immunosensor. The GNP/IL-Ch film not only prevents the leakage of the IL units, but also produces a well-defined voltammetric signal due to the synergistic effects of the IL units and GNPs. By immobilizing an alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-labeled antibody in GNP/IL-Ch film, a sensitive amperometric immunosensor has been developed for prostate specific antigen (PSA). Under the optimized conditions, the immunosensor exhibits a linear range from 1.0 to 80 ng mL^?1 of PSA.     

Electrochemical immuno-bioanalysis for carcinoma antigen 125 based on thionine and gold nanoparticles-modified carbon paste interface

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of carcinoma antigen 125 (CA125) was developed by means of immobilizing CA125 antibody (anti-CA125) on gold nanoparticles (Au) and thionine (Thi)-modified carbon paste interface. To avoid the leak of hydrophilic gold nanoparticles and thionine from carbon paste interface, the Au-Thi-modified carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) were first treated in the mixture solution containing 10% HNO₃ and 2.5% K₂Cr₂O₇ for 1.5 min at +1.5 V to make the carbon surface with -COOH groups, which can react with -NH₂ groups on the thionine molecule, in the meantime, gold nanoparticles were absorbed on the thionine surface. Subsequently, CA125 antibodies were assembled onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. The fabrication process of the immunosensor was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The performance and factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were studied in detail. A direct electrochemical immunoassay format was employed to detect CA125 antigen based on the current change before and after the antigen-antibody reaction. The current change was proportional to CA125 concentration ranging from 10 to 30 U/ml with a detection limit of 1.8 U/ml (at 3δ). The immunosensors were used to analyze CA125 in human serum specimens. Analytical results of clinical samples show that the developed immunoassay has a promising alternative approach for detecting CA125 in the clinical diagnosis.     

Reversible aggregation of gold nanoparticles induced by pH dependent conformational transitions of a self-assembled polypeptide

Controlling the stable structures of metallic nanoparticles on mesoscopic and macroscopic length scales is of great interest in nanotechnology. Here, this task is accomplished using a synthetic biopolymer that is responsive to external stimuli and undergoes changes in secondary structure. Reversible aggregation of gold nanoparticles (GNP) is induced by pH dependent changes in a self-assembled monolayer of disulfide modified poly(L-glutamic acid) (SSPLGA) with M(w) approximately 27000. The disulfide anchoring group drives chemisorption onto the gold nanoparticles and leads to the formation of a self-assembled monolayer. Characterization of the modified GNP and its aggregation behavior is performed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Experimental results show that decrease in pH near 5.5 leads to aggregation of the modified GNP. The change in aggregation behavior with pH occurs within minutes, is reversible, and happens within a narrow range of pH from about 4.5 to 5.5. Comparison with literature data on molar enthalpy of hydrogen bonding, specific optical rotation, and ionization for the helix-coil transition of PLGA indicates that the aggregation of the SSPLGA modified GNP corresponds to the transition in the secondary structure of the polyacid.     

Electrochemical stripping voltammetry of gold ions for development of ultra-sensitive immunoassay for chlorsulfuron

The paper reports a highly sensitive enzyme free electrochemical immunoassay (EFEIA) for the detection of herbicide chlorsulfuron. The assay is based upon oxidative gold nanoparticle (GNP) dissolution in an acidic solution. The consequent release of large amounts of gold (Au) metal ions after dissolution of gold nanoparticles tagged to antibody leads to the development of sensitive stripping voltammetry based immunoassay. The detection is made possible by the reduction of Au^3 + ions at the screen printed electrode surface followed by metal analysis by using the square wave voltammetry technique. The sensitivity of chlorsulfuron detection by competitive assay procedure was 6.7 pg mL^− 1 for EFEIA in marked contrast to optical detection using Standard ELISA procedure that gives a sensitivity of 4.97 ng mL^− 1.     

A one-step homogeneous immunoassay for cancer biomarker detection using gold nanoparticle probes coupled with dynamic light scattering

A one-step homogeneous immunoassay for the detection of a prostate cancer biomarker, free-PSA (prostate specific antigen), was developed using gold nanoparticle probes coupled with dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. A spherical gold nanoparticle with a core diameter around 37 nm and a gold nanorod with a dimension of 40 by 10 nm were first conjugated with two different primary anti-PSA antibodies and then used as optical probes for the immunoassay. In the presence of antigen f-PSA in solution, the nanoparticles and nanorods aggregate together into pairs and oligomers through the formation of a sandwich type antibody-antigen-antibody linkage. The relative ratio of nanoparticle-nanorod pairs and oligomers versus individual nanoparticles was quantitatively monitored by DLS measurement. A correlation can be established between this relative ratio and the amount of antigen in solution. The light scattering intensity of nanoparticles and nanoparticle oligomers is several orders of magnitude higher than proteins and other typical molecules, making it possible to detect nanoparticle probes in the low picomolar concentration range. f-PSA in the concentration range from 0.1 to 10 ng/mL was detected by this one-step and washing-free homogeneous immunoassay.     

Multiple detection of proteins by SERS-based immunoassay with core shell magnetic gold nanoparticles

A highly selective and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunoassay for the multiple detection of proteins has been developed. The proposed core shell magnetic gold (Au) nanoparticles allow for successful protein separation and high SERS enhancement for protein detection. To selectively detect a specific protein in a mixed protein solution, we employed the sandwich type SERS immunoassay with core shell magnetic Au nanoparticles utilizing specific antigen–antibody interactions. Based on this proposed SERS immunoassay, we can successfully detect proteins in very low concentrations (∼800 ag/mL of mouse IgG and ∼5 fg/mL of human IgG) with high reproducibility. Magnetically assisted protein separation and detection by this proposed SERS immunoassay would provide great potential for effective and sensitive multiple protein detection. This technique allows for the straightforward SERS-based bioassays for quantitative protein detections.     

Ultra-sensitive immunosensor for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen using multi-functionalized gold nanoparticles

The signal amplification for analytical purposes has considerable potential in detecting trace levels of analytes for clinical, security or environmental applications. In the present report a strategy based on a sandwich type immunoassay system was designed for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen which exploits the specific affinity interaction between streptavidin and biotin recognition systems. The method involves the specific coupling of multi-functionalized gold nanoparticles (bearing biotin and luminol molecules) to the streptavidin modified by secondary antibody. The chemiluminescent signal is produced by the gold nanoparticles in the presence of HAuCl₄ as catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The immunosensor was able to detect hepatitis B surface antigen in the linear concentration range from 1.7 to 1920 pg mL⁻¹ and the detection limit of 0.358 pg mL⁻¹, at signal/noise = 3.     

Disclosure of the imidazolium cation coordination and stabilization mode in ionic liquid stabilized gold(0) nanoparticles

A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) study of imidazolium ionic liquid stabilized gold(0) nanoparticles (GNPs) furnished previously unknown knowledge about the coordination and stabilization mode of the imidazolium cation. GNPs were prepared by hydrazine reduction of a chloroauric acid solution in 1-triethylene glycol monomethyl ether-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate 2 as ether-functionalized room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). UV-vis spectroscopy showed the presence of GNP aggregates as absorptions extended to the NIR region. A parallel coordination mode for the imidazolium cation of RTIL 2 on the GNP surface was observed by SERS, which occurred without the simultaneous coordination of the 1-triethylene glycol monomethyl ether-functionality. Instead of this, the ether-functionality was directed away from the GNP surface and acted as steric barrier between the GNPs/GNP aggregates, thus preventing further aggregation. These new insights suggest that the imidazolium cation is responsible for electrosteric stabilization.     

A highly sensitive capillary electrophoresis immunoassay strategy based on dual‐labeled gold nanoparticles enhancing chemiluminescence for the detection of prostate‐specific antigen

An enzyme and antibody dual labeled gold nanoparticles enhancing chemiluminescence strategy was developed for highly sensitive CE immunoassay (IA) of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). In this work, gold nanoparticles were labeled with horseradish peroxidase and antiprostate specific antigen‐antibody, and used as the marker (Ab^*). After PSA (antigen, Ag) was added into the system, a noncompetitive immune reaction was happen between Ab^* and Ag to form an immune complex (Ag–Ab^*). Subsequently, the obtained Ag–Ab^* and unreacted Ab^* were separated by CE, and the chemiluminescence intensity of Ag‐Ab^* was used to estimate PSA concentration. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in the range of 0.25–10 ng/mL. Based on a S/N of 3, the detection limit for PAS was estimated to be 0.092 ng/mL. Proposed CE method was applied for PSA quantification in human serum samples from healthy volunteers and patients with prostate cancer. The obtained results demonstrated that the proposed CE method may serve as an alternative tool for clinical analysis of PSA.     

The preparation and characterization of poly(o-phenylenediamine)/gold nanoparticles interface for immunoassay by surface plasmon resonance and electrochemistry

The poly-o-phenylenediamine (PoPD) nonconducting film and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were combined to fabricate AuNPs/PoPD film, which is used as a novel biocompatible interface for the immobilization of antibody and develop a simple and sensitive label-free immunoassay for the detection of the related antigen (human immunoglobulin G (IgG)). Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and electrochemical methods were used to provide the real-time information about the polymer film growth, assembling of various sizes of gold nanoparticles, anti-human IgG antibody (anti-hIgG) immobilization and the antigen–antibody interaction. The microstructures of the PoPD and AuNPs/PoPD films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). These results demonstrated that AuNPs were uniformly dispersed on the porous surface of PoPD film, which formed a nano-structure biocompatible AuNPs/PoPD interface. The use of gold nanoparticles and PoPD film could enhance the immunoassay sensitivity and anti-nonspecific property of the resulting immunoassay electrode. Additionally, the reproducibility and preliminary application of anti-hIgG/AuNPs/PoPD/Au electrode for SPR detection of hIgG was also evaluated.     

Gold Nanoparticle Based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Immunoassay for the Detection of the Histone Deacetylase Activity using a Fluorescent Peptide Probe

A novel platform for detection of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity has been developed using a gold nanoparticle based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) immunoassay. This strategy combined the acetylated fluorescent peptide probe with the anti-acetyl antibody functionalized Au NPs to measure the deacetylation activity of histone deacetylase sirtuin2. Enzymatic deacetylation of the acetylated peptide substrate was detected by a gold nanoparticle labeled anti-acetyl peptide antibody with the formation of the immunocomplex resulting in energy transfer between the fluorescent dyes and the nanoparticles. Due to the highly efficient fluorescence quenching of the gold nanoparticles, the proposed method shows a low background and favorable sensitivity. In addition, this approach can be applied to the evaluation of HDAC inhibitor activity. The proposed platform should facilitate the development of new assays for HDAC activity and other histone modifications.     

Immunoassay using probe-labelling immunogold nanoparticles with silver staining enhancement via surface-enhanced Raman scattering

This paper reports a novel immunoassay based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and immunogold labelling with silver staining enhancement. Immunoreactions between immunogold colloids modified by a Raman-active probe molecule (e.g., 4-mercaptobenzoic acid) and antigens, which were captured by antibody-assembled chips such as silicon or quartz, were detected via SERS signals of Raman-active probe molecule. All the self-assembled steps were subjected to the measurements of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra to monitor the formation of a sandwich structure onto a substrate. The immunoassay was performed by a sandwich structure consisting of three layers. The first layer was composed of immobilized antibody molecules of mouse polyclonal antibody against Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (PAb) on a silicon or quartz substrate. The second layer was the complementary Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (Antigen) molecules captured by PAb on the substrate. The third layer was composed of the probe-labelling immunogold nanoparticles, which were modified by mouse monoclonal antibody against Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (MAb) and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) as the Raman-active probe on the surface of gold colloids. After silver staining enhancement, the antigen is identified by a SERS spectrum of MBA. A working curve of the intensity of a SERS signal at 1585 cm(-1) due to the [small nu](8a) aromatic ring vibration of MBA versus the concentration of analyte (Antigen) was obtained and the non-optimized detection limit for the Hepatitis B virus surface antigen was found to be as low as 0.5 [micro sign]g mL(-1).     

Study on urinary metabolic profile of phenylketonuria by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with dual electrochemical detection--potential clinical application in fast diagnosis of phenylketonuria

In this report, we present a novel approach to detect clenbuterol based on competitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immunoassay. Herein, a SERS nanoprobe that relies on gold nanoparticle (GNP) is labeled by 4,4'-dipyridyl (DP) and clenbuterol antibody, respectively. The detection of clenbuterol is carried out by competitive binding between free clenbuterol and clenbuterol-BSA fastened on the substrate with their antibody labeled on SERS nanoprobes. The present method allows us to detect clenbuterol over a much wider concentration range (0.1-100 pg mL(-1)) with a lower limit of detection (ca. 0.1 pg mL(-1)) than the conventional methods. Furthermore, by the use of this new competitive SERS immunoassay, the clenbuterol-BSA (antigen) is chosen to fasten on the substrate instead of the clenbuterol antibody, which could reduce the cost of the assay. Results demonstrate that the proposed method has the wide potential applications in food safety and agonist control.     

One-step synthesis of gold nanoparticles using azacryptand and their applications in SERS and catalysis

A new aqueous-phase method for the preparation of stable gold nanoparticles by using 1,4,7,10,13,16,21,24-octaazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (azacryptand) as both reductant and stabilizer is reported. Reduction of HAuCl(4) with azacryptand at room temperature yields nano-sized particles within a short time. The obtained gold nanoparticles have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Comparison of FT-IR spectra of azacryptand before and after reaction revealed that azacryptand molecules reduce gold ions as the amino moieties in the molecules are oxidized to imino groups. The prepared gold nanoparticles show efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering properties and can effectively catalyze reduction of 4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis and capping of water-dispersed gold nanoparticles by an amino acid: bioconjugation and binding studies

We report a novel strategy for the synthesis of aqueous stable, carboxylated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) by using glutamic acid as the reducing agent. The ratio of chloroaurate ions, AuCl(-)(4) to glutamic acid was optimized in the reaction medium to obtain monodispersed GNPs. Glutamic acid reduced gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible, FTIR, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, which demonstrated high stability in aqueous solution over a period of time indicating stabilization via surface-bound amino acid. Functionalized nanoparticles were conjugated with protein molecules through electrostatic attraction between the surface-terminated negatively charged carboxylate groups (COO(-)) of glutamic acid and the positively charged amino groups (NH(+)(3)) of the protein. The conjugation efficiency of the GNP:protein conjugates was confirmed qualitatively and quantitatively through gel electrophoresis and critical flocculation concentration analysis. The interaction between functionalized GNPs with protein molecules was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy showing the fluorescence quenching of the tryptophan residues of protein molecules after conjugation. Circular dichroism (CD) studies of the conjugates confirmed that the protein undergoes a more flexible conformational state on the boundary surface of GNPs after conjugation. There was substantial conformational transition from alpha-helix to beta-sheet structure after conjugation of protein to GNPs.     

Copper-enhanced gold nanoparticle tags for electrochemical stripping detection of human IgG

We demonstrate herein a novel electrochemical protocol for quantification of human IgG based on the precipitation of copper on gold nanoparticle tags and a subsequent electrochemical stripping detection of the dissolved copper. The immunoassay was conducted by following the typical procedure for sandwich-type immunoreaction. Goat anti-human IgG was immobilized on the wells of microtiter plates. The human IgG analyte was first captured by the primary antibody and then sandwiched by secondary antibody labeled with gold nanoparticles. The copper enhancer solution was then added to deposite copper on the gold nanoparticle tags. After dissolved with HNO₃, the released copper ions were then quantified by ASV. The detection limit is 0.5 ng/mL by 3σ-rule. In order to investigate the feasibility of the newly developed technique to be applied for clinical analysis, several standard human IgG serum specimens were also examined by the method. To our knowledge, the copper enhancing procedure is the first time to be developed for immunoassay. The new strategy of using copper-enhanced gold nanoparticle tags for electrochemical stripping detection holds great promise for immunoassay and DNA detection.