Sandwich immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein in human sera using gold nanoparticle and magnetic bead labels along with resonance Rayleigh scattering readout

We describe a sensitive sandwich immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). It is making use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and magnetic beads (MBs) as labels, and of resonance Rayleigh scattering for detection. Two antibodies were labeled with GNPs and MBs, respectively, and MB-antigen-GNP complexes were formed in the presence of antigens. The MB labels also serve as solid phase carriers that can be used to magnetically separate the immuno complex. The GNP labels are used as optical probes, and Rayleigh scattering was used to determine the concentration of free GNPs-antibody after separation of the MB-antigen-GNP complexes. The concentration of AFP is related to the intensity of light scattered by free GNPs in the 13.6 pM to 436 pM concentration range, and the limit of detection is 13.6 pM. The method was applied to the determination of AFP in sera of cancer patients, and the results agree well with those obtained by conventional ELISA.

Electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen using ceria mesoporous nanospheres

We report on a sensitive electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen (PSA). An immunoelectrode was fabricated by coating a glassy carbon electrode with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), CeO₂ and PSA antibody (in this order) using the layer-by-layer method. The immunosensor is then placed in a sample solution containing PSA and o-phenylenediamine (OPD). It is found that the CeO₂ nanoparticles facilitate the electrochemical oxidation of OPD, and this produces a signal for electrochemical detection of PSA that depends on the concentration of PSA. There is a linear relationship between the decrease in current and the concentration of PSA in the 0.01 to 1,000 pg mL^?1 concentration range, and the detection limit is 4 fg mL^?1. The assay was successfully applied to the detection of PSA in serum samples. This new differential pulse voltammetric immunoassay is sensitive and acceptably precise, and the fabrication of the electrode is well reproducible. Figure

A novel electrochemical immunoassay for prostate specific antigen (PSA) was developed. Ceria (CeO₂) mesoporous nanospheres facilitated the electrochemical oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD). The developed immunoassay has high sensitivity and can be successfully applied for the detection of PSA in serum samples     

Electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen using a reduced graphene oxide functionalized with a high molecular-weight silk peptide

High molecular-weight silk peptide (SP) was used to functionalize the surface of nanosheets of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The SP-rGO nanocomposite was then mixed with mouse anti-human prostate specific antigen monoclonal antibody (anti-PSA) and coated onto a glassy carbon electrode to fabricate an immunosensor. By using the hexacyanoferrate redox system as electroactive probe, the immunosensor was characterized by voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The peak current, measured at the potential of 0.24 V (vs. SCE), is distinctly reduced after binding prostate specific antigen (PSA). Response (measured by differential pulse voltammetry) is linearly related to PSA concentration in the range from 0.1 to 5.0 ng · mL⁻¹ and from 5.0 to 80.0 ng∙mL⁻¹, and the detection limit is 53 pg∙mL⁻¹ (at an SNR of 3). The immunosensor was successfully applied to the determination of PSA in clinical serum samples, and the results were found to agree well with those obtained with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Nanosheets of reduced graphene oxide were functionalized with silk peptide and used to immobilize anti-PSA to fabricate an immunosensor for PSA.

     

A voltammetric immunoassay for the carcinoembryonic antigen using a self-assembled magnetic nanocomposite

The authors describe a voltammetric immunoassay for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It is based on the use of a self-assembled magnetic nanocomposite as multifunctional signal amplification platform. The core of the nanocomposite consists of Fe₃O₄ microspheres, and the shell of zirconium hexacyanoferrate loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@ZrHCF@Fe₃O₄). The material was synthesized by an electrostatic self-assembly process which is caused by the strong interaction between cyano groups and AuNPs. The surface of the Fe₃O₄ microspheres was functionalized with amino groups to facilitate the immobilization of ZrHCF which acts as an electron mediator. The nanocomposite was placed on a glassy carbon electrode which then displays noteworthy electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The AuNPs serve as a support for the immobilization of antibodies by the interaction between AuNPs and amino groups on antibodies to construct a covalent Au-N bond. This facilitates electron transfer on the electrode surface using H₂O₂ as the electrochemical probe. Square wave voltammetry (measured typically at +0.2 V vs. SCE) was carried out to record the electrochemical behavior. Under the optimal conditions, a response is linear in the 0.5 pg·mL^?1 to 50 ng·mL^?1 CEA concentration range, and the detection limit is as low as 0.15 pg·mL^?1 (S/N =?3). The method is selective, highly stable and acceptably reproducible.

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Graphical abstract A self-assembly magnetic nanocomposite for voltammetric immunoassay of CEA. GCE glassy carbon electrode; Au NPs gold nanoparticles; ZrHCF zirconium hexacyanoferrate; CEA carcinoembryonic antigen; Anti-CEA CEA antibody; BSA bovine serum albumin; SWV square wave voltammetry. A high sensitive voltammetric immunoassay method has been used for detecting CEA, It is based on a self-assembled magnetic nanocomposite (Au NPs@ZrHCF@Fe₃O₄) as multifunctional signal amplification platform.

     

Nanoporous gold as a solid support for protein immobilization and development of an electrochemical immunoassay for prostate specific antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen

Nanoporous gold (NPG) was utilized as a support for immobilizing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) conjugated to monoclonal antibodies against either prostate specific antigen (PSA) or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The antibody-ALP conjugates were coupled to self-assembled monolayers of lipoic acid and used in direct kinetic assays. Using the enzyme substrate p-aminophenylphosphate, the product p-aminophenol was detected by its oxidation near 0.1?V (vs. Ag|AgCl) using square wave voltammetry. The difference in peak current arising from oxidation of p-aminophenol before and after incubation with biomarker increased with biomarker concentration. The response to these two biomarkers was linear up to 10?ng mL^?1 for CEA and up to 30?ng mL^?1 for PSA. The effect of interference on the PSA assay was studied using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model albumin protein. The effect of interference from a serum matrix was examined for the PSA assay using newborn calf serum. A competitive version of the immunoassay using antigen immobilized onto the NPG surface was highly sensitive at lower antigen concentration. Estimates of the surface coverage of the antibody-ALP conjugates on the NPG surface are presented.

Hollow mesoporous silica microspheres as sensitive labels for immunoassay of prostate-specific antigen

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of cancer biomarker prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been reported based on nanoporous gold (NPG) and hollow mesoporous silica microspheres (HSMs). The immunoassay was conducted by following the typical procedure for sandwich-type immunoreaction. Nanoporous gold (NPG) foils were immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for primary anti-PSA (Ab(1)) anchoring. Making use of the unique properties of NPG, antibodies could be self-assembled onto the support-free NPG via amine-Au affinity with a high loading amount and reserve high immunological activity. HSMs were used as a secondary anti-PSA antibody (Ab(2)) label. For the preparation of the label, mediator thionine (TH) was first conjugated onto amino-functionalized HSMs (NH(2)-HSMs) via crosslinking with glutaraldehyde, and then the amino group of TH was used to immobilize horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Ab(2). Due to the large specific surface area of NH(2)-HSMs, the loading of antibodies as well as mediator and enzyme onto HSMs was substantially increased, which increased the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The immunosensor exhibited a high sensitivity and showed a linear response within the range of 0.01-10 ng mL(-1) PSA, low detection limit (6.00 pg mL(-1)), good reproducibility and stability. Significantly, the new method may be quite promising, with potential broad applications for clinical immunoassays.     

Fully automated immunoassay for detection of prostate-specific antigen using nano-magnetic beads and micro-polystyrene bead composites, 'Beads on Beads'

Magnetic beads have served as a conventional bioassay platform in biotechnology. In this study, a fully automated immunoassay was performed using novel nano- and microbead-composites constructed by assembling nano-magnetic beads onto polystyrene microbeads, designated ‘Beads on Beads’. Nano-sized bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) displaying the immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding domain of protein A (ZZ domain) were used for the construction of ‘Beads on Beads’ via the interaction of biotin-streptavidin. The efficient assembly of ‘Beads on Beads’ was performed by gradual addition of biotin-labeled BacMPs onto streptavidin-coated polystyrene microbeads. Approximately 2000 BacMPs were uniformly assembled on a single microbead without aggregation. The constructed ‘Beads on Beads’ were magnetized and separated from the suspension by using an automated magnetic separation system with a higher efficiency than BacMPs alone. Furthermore, fully automated detection of prostate-specific antigens was performed with the detection limit of 1.48 ng mL⁻¹. From this preliminary assay, it can be seen that ‘Beads on Beads’ could be a powerful tool in the development of high-throughput, fully automated multiplexed bioassays.     

Standard-free single magnetic bead evaluation: a stable nanoplatform for prostate disease differentiation

Explicit interpretation of heterogeneity between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) subtypes is essential for prostate cancer differentiation during different disease courses, whereas a universal protocol with uniform criteria is still lacking across the globe. In this work, a standard-free single magnetic bead (SMB) nanoplatform utilizing metal nanoparticles with optimal diameters was proposed for prostate disease differentiation in a 134-donor model. The inaccuracy of detection in absolute quantification was diminished via evaluations of metal intensities on the single magnetic bead. The intrinsic proportion of fPSA in tPSA was successfully evaluated by direct use of the Pt to Au intensity ratio (Pt/Au ratio), exhibiting better differentiation between healthy and unhealthy, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cancer individuals compared with solo fPSA or tPSA. We generated thresholds respectively for prostate disease differentiation, envisioning that this standard-free SMB nanoplatform would establish a standardized methodology with uniform criteria worldwide in cancer diagnosis, staging, and postoperative assessments.

A standard-free stable single magnetic bead nanoplatform was proposed in this work. The use of metal signal ratio was directly applied for intrinsic biological fPSA to tPSA ratio evaluations for prostate disease differentiation.     

Competitive immunoassay for imidaclothiz using upconversion nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles as labels

The authors describe a sensitive and rapid upconversion fluorescence based immunoassay for the neonicotinoid insecticide imidaclothiz (IMI). Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) consisting of hexagonal phase NaYF₄:Yb,Er were functionalized with amino groups and coupled to antibody against IMI. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used to label the antigen (analyte). Competitive binding of IMI and AuNPs-labeled IMI to the UCNPs-labeled antibody results in a change in the fluorescence of the UCNPs at excitation/emission wavelengths of 980/544 nm. Under optimal conditions, the concentration of IMI producing a 50% saturation of the signal (SC₅₀) is 18.9 ng mL^?1, and the limit of detection is 2.1 ng mL^?1. The method was applied to the determination of IMI in (spiked) paddy water, soil, pear, rice, apple, tomato, pakchoi and cabbage. Average recoveries range from 67.4% to 104.6%, and relative standard deviations from 1.9% to 10.3%. The results correlate well with those obtained by HPLC, the relative correlation coefficient (R²) being 0.9811.

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Graphical abstract Based on inner filter effect (IFE), a novel immunoassay for imidaclothiz (IMI) was developed by using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as labels. Competitive binding of IMI and AuNPs-labeled IMI to the UCNPs-labeled antibody results in a change in the fluorescence of the UCNPs at excitation/emission wavelengths of 980/544 nm.

     

Improved porous silicon microarray based prostate specific antigen immunoassay by optimized surface density of the capture antibody

Enriching the surface density of immobilized capture antibodies enhances the detection signal of antibody sandwich microarrays. In this study, we improved the detection sensitivity of our previously developed P-Si (porous silicon) antibody microarray by optimizing concentrations of the capturing antibody. We investigated immunoassays using a P-Si microarray at three different capture antibody (PSA – prostate specific antigen) concentrations, analyzing the influence of the antibody density on the assay detection sensitivity. The LOD (limit of detection) for PSA was 2.5 ng mL⁻¹, 80 pg mL⁻¹, and 800 fg mL⁻¹ when arraying the PSA antibody, H117 at the concentration 15 μg mL⁻¹, 35 μg mL⁻¹, and 154 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. We further investigated PSA spiked into human female serum in the range of 800 fg mL⁻¹ to 500 ng mL⁻¹. The microarray showed a LOD of 800 fg mL⁻¹ and a dynamic range of 800 fg mL⁻¹ to 80 ng mL⁻¹ in serum spiked samples.     

Nanomaterial-based biosensors for detection of prostate specific antigen

Screening serum for the presence of prostate specific antigen (PSA) belongs to the most common approach for the detection of prostate cancer. This review (with 156 refs.) addresses recent developments in PSA detection based on the use of various kinds of nanomaterials. It starts with an introduction into the field, the significance of testing for PSA, and on current limitations. A first main section treats electrochemical biosensors for PSA, with subsections on methods based on the use of gold electrodes, graphene or graphene-oxide, carbon nanotubes, hybrid nanoparticles, and other types of nanoparticles. It also covers electrochemical methods based on the enzyme-like activity of PSA, on DNA-, aptamer- and biofuel cell-based methods, and on the detection of PSA via its glycan part. The next main section covers optical biosensors, with subsections on methods making use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), localized SPR and plasmonic ELISA-like schemes. This is followed by subsections on methods based on the use of fiber optics, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, Raman scattering and SERS, electrochemiluminescence and cantilever-based methods. The most sensitive biosensors are the electrochemical ones, with lowest limits of detection (down to attomolar concentrations), followed by mass cantilever sensing and electrochemilumenescent strategies. Optical biosensors show lower performance, but are still more sensitive compared to standard ELISA. The most commonly applied nanomaterials are metal and carbon-based ones and their hybrid composites used for different amplification strategies. The most attractive sensing schemes are summarized in a Table. The review ends with a section on conclusions and perspectives.

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Graphical abstract Schematic representation of nanostructure-based biosensors for detection of prostate specific antigen using various detection schemes and biorecognition elements such as antibodies (Abs), aptamers (APT), lectins (LEC), and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP).

     

Chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay using magnetic nanoparticles for detection of neuron specific enolase in human serum

To detect a biomarker for small cell lung carcinoma, neuron specific enolase (NSE), a sensitive and specific chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay was developed. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled NSE capture antibody connected with NSE and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) labeled NSE detection antibody in a sandwich-type detection manner. This immune complex was further reacted with anti-FITC coated magnetic beads. In a magnetic field, the complex was enriched, and the sensitivity was thus enhanced. The limit of detection (LOD) of this method was <0.2 ng mL⁻¹. The proposed immunoassay was highly selective, and not interfered by hook effect. The recovery was >83.0% and the coefficient of variation was <10.0%. Human sera from 120 patients were tested with the presented and traditional chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. An excellent linear relationship was obtained between two techniques. Overall, this immunoassay offers a promising alternative for NSE detection than traditional clinical examinations.     

On-chip magnetic bead microarray using hydrodynamic focusing in a passive magnetic separator

Implementing DNA and protein microarrays into lab-on-a-chip systems can be problematic since these are sensitive to heat and strong chemicals. Here, we describe the functionalization of a microchannel with two types of magnetic beads using hydrodynamic focusing combined with a passive magnetic separator with arrays of soft magnetic elements. The soft magnetic elements placed on both sides of the channel are magnetized by a relatively weak applied external magnetic field (21 mT) and provide magnetic field gradients attracting magnetic beads. Flows with two differently functionalized magnetic beads and a separating barrier flow are introduced simultaneously at the two channel sides and the centre of the microfluidic channel, respectively. On-chip experiments with fluorescence labeled beads demonstrate that the two types of beads are captured at each of the channel sidewalls. On-chip hybridization experiments show that the microfluidic systems can be functionalized with two sets of beads carrying different probes that selectively recognize a single base pair mismatch in target DNA. By switching the places of the two types of beads it is shown that the microsystem can be cleaned and functionalized repeatedly with different beads with no cross-talk between experiments.     

Signal amplification strategy for sensitive immunoassay of prostate specific antigen (PSA) based on ferrocene incorporated polystyrene spheres

A new kind of signal amplification strategy based on ferrocene (Fc) incorporated polystyrene spheres (PS-Fc) was proposed. The synthesized PS-Fc displayed narrow size distribution and good stability. PS-Fc was applied as label to develop immunosensors for prostate specific antigen (PSA) after the typical sandwich immunoreaction by linking anti-PSA antibody (Ab₂) onto PS-Fc. After the fabrication of the immunosensor, tetrahydrofuran (THF) was dropped to dissolve PS and release the contained Fc for the following stripping voltammetric detection. PS-Fc as a new electrochemical label prevented the leakage of Fc and greatly amplified the immunosensor signal. In addition, the good biocompatibility of PS could maintain the bioactivity of the antibodies. The response current was linear to the logarithm of PSA concentration in the range from 0.01 ng mL⁻¹ to 20 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1 pg mL⁻¹. The immunosensor results were validated through the detection of PSA in serum samples with satisfactory results.     

A two bead immunoassay in a micro fluidic device using a flat laser intensity profile for illumination

Recently it was demonstrated that a collimated Gaussian beam can be converted to a flattop beam using a Keplerian beam reshaper consisting of two aspheric lenses. Here, using the same optical system, we demonstrate that this flattop profile can be maintained when used in a confocal detection system that focuses the laser beam into a diameter of only 33 microm. The intensity profile of the reshaped beam was determined by imaging the excitation of a constant stream of fluorescein inside a microfluidic device. The resulting shape had a 6.38% RSD intensity across the flat profile when imaged with a CCD camera. This flat illumination profile was then used in a two bead multiplex immunoassay where the colour combination and/or the intensities can be used to determine the presence of an antigen. Detection limits of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were comparable with standard ELISA immunoassays.     

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay at a nanoporous gold leaf electrode and using CdTe quantun dots as labels

An electrochemiluminescence-based immunoassay using quantum dots (QDs) as labels for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was developed using an electrode modified with leafs of nanoporous gold. CEA was initially immobilized on the electrode via a sandwich immunoreaction, and then CdTe quantum dots capped with thioglycolic acid were used to label the second antibody. The intensity of the ECL of the QDs reflects the quantity of CEA immobilized on the electrode. Thus, in the presence of dithiopersulfate as the coreactant, the ECL serves as the signal for the determination of CEA. The intensity of the electroluminescence (ECL) of the electrode was about 5.5-fold higher than that obtained with a bare gold electrode. The relation between ECL intensity and CEA concentration is linear in the range from 0.05 to 200?ng.mL^-1, and the detection limit is 0.01?ng.mL^-1. The method has the advantages of high sensitivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability, and paves a new avenue for applying quantum dots in ECL-based bioassays.

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the carcinoembryonic antigen using CdSe:Eu nanocrystals

CdSe:Eu nanocrystals were successfully synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy. The CdSe:Eu nanocrystals showed enhanced green electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity when compared to pure CdSe nanocrystals. Further, the nanocrystals were used to design an ECL immunosensor for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that has a linear response over the 1.0 fg·mL^?1 to 100 ng·mL^?1 CEA concentration range with a 0.4 fg·mL^?1 detection limit. The assay was applied to the determination of CEA in human serum samples.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of the assay: GCE-glassy-carbon electrode, Ab- Antibody, BSA- Bovine serum albumin, Ag- Antigen. CdSe:Eu nanocrystals were used to design an ECL immunosensor for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen.

     

Toward a prostate specific antigen-based prostate cancer diagnostic assay: preparation of keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated normal and transformed prostate specific antigen fragments

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) molecules secreted by cancerous and normal prostate cells differ in their N-linked glycan composition, while the peptide backbone appears to be conserved. Antibodies selectively recognizing such differentially glycosylated PSA structures could form a basis for a new diagnostic assay for prostate cancer. Twenty-amino acid PSA fragments carrying di-, tri-, and tetrabranched complex-type glycans were prepared by total synthesis and conjugated to maleimide-modified keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) carrier protein through backbone Cys residues. These glycopeptide/KLH conjugates were then used for antibody generation.