Fully automated microchip system for the detection of quantal exocytosis from single and small ensembles of cells

A lab-on-a-chip device that enables positioning of single or small ensembles of cells on an aperture in close proximity to a mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified sensing electrode has been developed and characterized. The microchip was used for the detection of Ca(2+)-dependent quantal catecholamine exocytosis from single as well as small assemblies of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The frequency of events increased considerably upon depolarization of the PC12 cell membrane using a high extracelluar concentration of potassium. The number of recorded events could be correlated with the number of cells immobilized on the electrode. Quantal characteristics, such as the number of released molecules per recorded event, are equivalent to data obtained using conventional carbon fiber microelectrodes. The detection sensitivity of the device allows for the detection of less than 10 000 dopamine molecules in a quantal release. The distribution of peak rise-time and full width at half maximum was constant during measurement periods of several minutes demonstrating the stability of the MPA modified surface.     

A glass capillary microelectrode based on capillarity and its application to the detection of L-glutamate release from mouse brain slices.

A new glass capillary microelectrode for L-glutamate is described using pulled glass capillaries (tip size, approximately 12.5 microm) with a very small volume (approximately 2 microl) of inner solution containing glutamate oxidase (GluOx) and ascorbate oxidase. The operation of the electrode is based on capillary action that samples L-glutamate into the inner solution. The enzyme reaction by GluOx generates hydrogen peroxide that is detected at an Os-gel-HRP polymer modified Pt electrode in a three-electrode configuration. The amperometric response behavior of the electrode was characterized in terms of the capillarity, response time, sensitivity and selectivity for measurements of L-glutamate. The currents at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl increased linearly with the L-glutamate concentration from 10 to 150 microM for in vitro and in situ calibrations. The response was highly selective to L-glutamate over ascorbate, dopamine, serotonin and other amino acids. The detection of L-glutamate in the extracellular fluids of different regions of mouse hippocampal slices under stimulation of KCl was demonstrated.     

Amperometric measurement of ds-DNA content using a peroxidase-modified electrode

An enzyme electrode with a chemically amplified response for methylene blue (MB) was constructed from a glassy carbon electrode and a layer containing immobilized horseradish peroxidase (HRP). MB is reduced on the electrode but regenerated through the HRP-catalyzed reaction in the presence of H(2)O(2). The electroreduction/regeneration cycle for MB resulted in an amplified electrode response. The enzyme electrode was applied to the highly sensitive measurement of ds-DNA. The current for MB decreased in association with its complexation with DNA, and the current response caused by DNA was also amplified through the recycling processes. The detection limit of ds-DNA (from salmon testes) was as low as 5 ng ml(-1).     

Amperometric Detection of Histamine with a Pyrroloquinoline‐Quinone Modified Electrode

A modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was developed for the amperometric detection of biogenic amines, particularly histamine. The electrode was modified with the co‐enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) by entrapment during electropolymerziation of pyrrole to form polypyrrole (PPy). This method formed a thin film on the electrode surface possessing very good stability with a shelf‐life exceeding one month without loss of signal. Optimal conditions for the PQQ/PPy electrode were determined and a linear response was found for histamine in phosphate buffer (pH 6) at +550 mV from 40 to 170 mg L^?1 with a limit of detection (S/N≥3) of 38 mg L^?1. The practical linear range offered by this method suggests ideal use for spoilage detection in fermented foods.     

Impedance measurement technique for high-sensitivity cell detection in microstructures with non-uniform conductivity distribution

Particle detection in microstructures is a key procedure required by modern lab-on-a-chip devices. Unfortunately, state of the art approaches to impedance measuring as applied to cell detection do not perform well in regions characterized by non-homogeneous physical parameters due, for example, to the presence of air-liquid interfaces or when the particle-electrode distance is relatively high. This paper presents a robust impedance measurement technique and a circuit for detecting cells flowing in microstructures such as microchannels and microwells. Our solution makes use of an innovative three-electrode measurement scheme with asymmetric polarization in order to increase cell detection ability in microstructures featuring large electrode distances of up to 100 μm as well as to limit signal loss due to cell position relative to the electrodes. Compared to standard techniques, numerical simulations show that, with the proposed approach, the cell detection sensitivity is increased by more than 40%. In addition, we propose a custom circuit based on division instead of difference between signals, as in standard differential circuits, so as to reduce the baseline signal drift induced by non-homogeneous conductivity. A simplified analytical model shows an increase in the signal-to-noise-ratio comprised in the range 3.9-5.9. Experimental results, carried out using an open-microwell device made with flexible printed circuit board technology, are in agreement with simulations, suggesting a six-fold increase of the signal-to-noise ratio compared to the differential measurement technique. We were thus able to successfully monitor the process of isolating K562 leukemia cells inside open-microwells determining all single-cell events with no false positive detection.     

Study of carbon nanotubes-HRP modified electrode and its application for novel on-line biosensors

In this paper, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode by mixing with horse-radish peroxidase (HRP). The electrochemical behavior of H2O2 was also studied with the MWCNTs-HRP modified electrode as a working electrode. The MWCNTs-HRP modified electrode showed excellent response of reduction current for the determination of H2O2 at the potential of -300 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl). We assembled the MWCNTs-HRP modified electrode in a thin-layer flow cell and the H2O2 solution was continuously introduced into the cell with a syringe pump. We optimized the sensitivity of the H2O2 sensor by adjusting the working potential and the pH of the buffer solution. The peak current increased linearly with the concentration of H2O2 in the range 3.0 x 10(-7) to approximately 2.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1). The detection limit is 1.0 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) (S/N = 3). The interferences from ascorbic acid, uric acid and other electroactive substances can be greatly excluded since the sensor can be operated at -300 mV. Stability and reproducibility of the MWCNTs-HRP chemically modified electrode were also studied in this paper. Fabricated with glucose and lactate oxidase, the MWCNTs-HRP electrode was also applied to prepare the on-line glucose and lactate biosensors because of the high sensitivity for the determination of H2O2.     

超氧化物歧化酶催化-电化学调控的原子转移自由基聚合方法制备分子印迹聚合物

病理学中对含金属蛋白质的敏感检测极其重要。 本文以超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)作为金属蛋白,SOD既作为模板分子又作为催化剂进行电化学调控的原子转移自由基聚合(eATRP)反应制备蛋白质印迹聚合物(PIPs),用于SOD电化学生物传感器。 该方法不需要过渡金属离子,具有制备简单、节约试剂、保护环境等优点。 我们选用L-半胱氨酸和纳米金修饰的金电极(Au/L-cys/nanoAu)作为工作电极将氧化型SOD催化还原为还原型SOD,利用还原型SOD的Cu(Ⅰ)粒子,在引发剂4-硫苯基-2-溴-2-甲基丙酸酯(4-mercaptophenyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate,4-HTP-Br)修饰的金电极上调控丙烯酰胺、N,N-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺的eATRP聚合制备SOD PIPs。 利用循环伏安法(CV)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)方法对其进行了表征。 通过微分脉冲伏安法(DPV),在最优的条件下利用此修饰电极对溶液中的SOD进行检测,线性响应范围为1.0×10^-7~1.0×10² mg/L,检测限为6.8×10^-8 mg/L(S/N=3),相关系数为0.995。 与其它检测SOD的方法相比,该方法具有更宽的线性范围和较低的检测限。 本研究对于制备PIPs,用蛋白质催化的eATRP和含金属蛋白的敏感检测均有重要意义。     

Histamine and spontaneously released mast cell granules affect the cell growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The role of mast cells in tumor growth is still controversial. In this study we analyzed the effects of both histamine and pre-formed mediators spontaneously released by mast cells on the growth of two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HA22T/VGH and HuH-6, with different characteristics of differentiation, biological behavior and genetic defects. We showed that total mast cell releasate, exocytosed granules (granule remnants) and histamine reduced cell viability and proliferation in HuH-6 cells. In contrast, in HA22T/VGH cells granule remnants and histamine induced a weak but significant increase in cell growth. We showed that both cell lines expressed histamine receptors H(1) and H(2) and that the selective H(1) antagonist terfenadine reverted the histamine-induced inhibition of HuH-6 cell growth, whereas the selective H(2) antagonist ranitidine inhibited the histamine-induced cell growth of HA22T/VGH cells. We demonstrated that histamine down-regulated the expression of beta-catenin, COX-2 and survivin in HuH-6 cells and that this was associated with caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. On the contrary, in HA22T/VGH cells expression of survivin and beta-catenin increased after treatment with granule remnants and histamine. Overall, our results suggest that mediators stored in mast cell granules and histamine may affect the growth of liver cancer cells. However, mast cells and histamine may play different roles depending on the tumor cell features. Finally, these data suggest that histamine and histamine receptor agonists/antagonists might be considered as "new therapeutic" drugs to inhibit liver tumor growth.     

Electrochemical detection of extracellular hydrogen peroxide released from RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells based on horseradish peroxidase-hydroxyapatite nanohybrids

A new method developed for the reliable determination of extracellular and intracellular H(2)O(2) is very useful for gaining a full understanding of the role that H(2)O(2) plays in pathology and physiology, and the relationship between H(2)O(2) and environmental stresses and lipid peroxidation. This work developed and validated an electrochemical approach for the determination of extracellular H(2)O(2) released from RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. This approach is based on the electrocatalytic reduction of the released H(2)O(2) at the biosensor of HRP-HAP/GC, which was fabricated by depositing the horseradish peroxidase-hydroxyapatite (HRP-HAP) nanohybrids on a glassy carbon (GC, 3 mm in diameter) electrode. The biosensor exhibited a rapid response (less than 2 s), a low detection limit (0.1±0.02 μM), a wide linear range (5 μM to 0.82 mM), as well as good stability and repeatability. In addition, the common interfering species, such as uric acid (UA), ascorbic acid (AA), glucose, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), etc., did not cause any interference due to the use of a low operating potential (-400 mV, versus SCE). Therefore, this work has demonstrated a simple and effective sensing platform for the detection of extracellular H(2)O(2) released from cells such as RAW 264.7 cells, which has potential utility to bioelectroanalytical chemistry, cellular biology, and pathophysiology.     

Polystyrene-graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode as a new class of polymeric nanosensors for electrochemical determination of histamine

A simple and rapid protocol for the synthesis of polystyrene-graphene oxide nanocomposite(PS/GONC)was achieved for first time using an in situ polymerization method.PS/GONC modified glassy carbon electrode(PS/GONC/GCE) has been employed as an efficient nanosensor for the electrooxidation of histamine.The PS/GONC/GCE is used as an electrochemical nanosensors for monitoring histamine using differential pulse voltammetry techniques(detection limit 0.03 μmol/L).In addition,the prepared nanosensor was successfully applied to determine histamine in fish samples,yielding satisfactory results.The spiked recoveries were in the range of 98.2%-103.1%.     

An amperometric biosensor based on the coimmobilization of horseradish peroxidase and methylene blue on a beta-type zeolite modified electrode

A new biosensor for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide was developed based on the coimmobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and methylene blue on a beta-type zeolite modified glassy carbon electrode without the commonly used bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde. The intermolecular interaction between enzyme and zeolite matrix was investigated using FT-IR. The cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurement demonstrated that methylene blue co-immobilized with HRP in this way displayed good stability and could efficiently transfer electrons between immobilized HRP and the electrode. The sensor responded rapidly to H2O2 in the linear range from 2.5 x 10(-6) to 4.0 x 10(-3) M with a detection limit of 0.3 microM. The sensor was stable in continuous operation.     

Hemin-phytic Acid Functionalized Porous Conducting Polymer Hydrogel With Good Biocompatibility for Electrochemical Detection of H2O2 Released From Living Cells

A novel hemin/phytic acid doped polyaniline (PA-PANI) hydrogel composite was prepared through a simple chemical and self-assembly method, which was modified onto electrode for electrochemical detection of H₂O₂ released from living cells. It showed good analytical performance with high sensitivity, selectivity and a rapid response for the analysis of H₂O₂ in the range of 2 to 102 μM, with the detection limit of 1.2 μM. The favorable results mainly originated from both the high conductivity of PA-PANI hydrogel and its network structure preventing hemin from self-dimerization to provide active catalytic species. Furthermore, PA-PANI with good biocompatibility allowed living cells to adhere and resulted in a short diffusion distance between H₂O₂ released from cells and electrode.     

Hybridization biosensor using 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenantroline cobalt as electrochemical indicator for detection of hepatitis B virus DNA

A label-free biosensor for the detection of oligonucleotides related to hepatitis B virus sequence via the interactions of DNA with redox-active complex, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenantroline cobalt [Co(dmp)(H2O)(NO3)2] is described. The study was carried out by the hybridization of 21-mer probe DNA modified on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with target DNA, and [Co(dmp)(H2O)(NO3)2] whose sizes are comparable to those of the small groove of native double-helix DNA was used as an electrochemical indicator. Electrochemical detection was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) over the potential range where the [Co(dmp)(H2O)(NO3)2] was active. Under the optimum conditions, the electrical signal had a linear relationship with the concentration of target DNA ranging from 3.96 x 10(-7) to 1.32 x 10(-6) M, and the detection limit was 1.94 x 10(-8) M (S/N=3). The biosensor has good selectivity by detecting the three-base mismatch sequence ssDNA.     

On-line microfluidic sensor integrated with a micro array electrode and enzyme-modified pre-reactor for the real-time monitoring of blood catecholamine

We developed an on-line microfluidic sensing device with an interdigitated array (IDA) electrode and a micro pre-reactor for the real-time monitoring of blood catecholamine (CA) and succeeded in the highly sensitive detection of dopamine (DA) in the presence of L-ascorbic acid (AA). Our device exhibits the lowest detection limit (110 ± 10 pM (S/N=3)), of reported catecholamine sensors. The improvement in sensitivity results from the high redox cycling of DA and the increase in the mass transfer rate per unit time onto the IDA electrode achieved by the flow measurement. The pre-reactor was integrated upstream in the micro flow channel to eliminate AA. A large number of rectangular shaped micropillars, which were modified with ascorbate oxidase, were formed in the pre-reactor to increase the surface area. The flow was disturbed by the two dimensional micropillar arrangement. This structure enables us to increase the elimination efficiency for AA. As a result, we achieved both the continuous and highly selective detection of 1 nM DA with complete elimination of 10 μM AA in the sample solution without employing any selective membrane such as Nafion, whose use reduces sensitivity due to the low diffusion coefficient of DA inside the membrane.     

多贝斯在石墨烯修饰玻碳电极上的电化学行为及其测定

制备了石墨烯修饰玻碳电极（GN/GCE）。 在0.05 mol/L H2SO4溶液中,用循环伏安法研究了多贝斯在GN/GCE上的电化学行为。 结果表明,GN/GCE对多贝斯的氧化还原反应有明显的电催化作用。 建立了测定多贝斯的新方法,用微分脉冲伏安法测得多贝斯的氧化峰电流与其浓度在2.0×10-9~1.2×10-6 mol/L范围内呈线性关系,检出限为1.0×10-9 mol/L(S/N=3)。 该法可用于胶囊中多贝斯的测定,修饰电极有较好的稳定性和重新性。     

Vascular endothelial growth factor as a biomarker for the early detection of cancer using a whole cell-based biosensor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a cytokine and endothelial cell (EC) mitogen that has been studied for its role in angiogenesis of malignant tumors. Elevated quantities of VEGF in the serum and plasma of patients have been correlated with the presence of cancer and metastasis. Since VEGF induces hyperpermeability of EC monolayers, this protein can be detected in vitro with a whole cell-based biosensor. This biosensor consists of a confluent monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) attached to a cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane of an ion-selective electrode (ISE). Previous studies regarding this biosensor have shown that when the biosensor was exposed to a model toxin, such as histamine, the response of the biosensor served as an indirect measurement of the presence of histamine. Similarly, the biosensor responds to the presence of VEGF, but is much more sensitive because VEGF is known to be 50,000-fold more potent than histamine when inducing EC hyperpermeability. The ISE response increased with increasing VEGF concentration. Since lower concentrations required more exposure time, the detection limit was established as a function of exposure time (2–10 h). The practical applicability of the biosensor was also established with cultured human melanoma cells WM793 (nonmetastatic) and 1205LU (metastatic). The resultant change in the potential values revealed significant production of VEGF from the 1205LU cells. A VEGF ELISA was performed to confirm the VEGF concentration in each sample. The biosensor closely predicted the concentrations determined through the ELISA. These results support the use of a cell-based ISE as a quick screening method for the presence of VEGF.     

Sensitive determination of dopamine in the presence of uric acid and ascorbic acid using TiO2 nanotubes modified with Pd, Pt and Au nanoparticles

A simple modified TiO(2) nanotubes electrode was fabricated by electrodeposition of Pd, Pt and Au nanoparticles. The TiO(2) nanotubes electrode was prepared using the anodizing method, followed by modifying Pd nanoparticles onto the tubes surface, offering a uniform conductive surface for electrodeposition of Pt and Au. The performance of the modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods. The Au/Pt/Pd/TiO(2) NTs modified electrode represented a high sensitivity towards individual detection of dopamine as well as simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid using 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.00) as the base solution. In both case, electro-oxidation peak currents of dopamine were linearly related to accumulated concentration over a wide concentration range of 5.0 × 10(-8) to 3.0 × 10(-5) M. However in the same range of dopamine concentration, the sensitivity had a significant loss at Pt/Pd/TiO(2) NTs electrode, suggesting the necessity for Au nanoparticles in modified electrode. The limit of the detection was determined as 3 × 10(-8) M for dopamine at signal-to-noise ratio equal to 3. Furthermore, the Au/Pt/Pd/TiO(2) NTs modified electrode was able to distinguish the oxidation response of dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid in mixture solution of different acidity. It was shown that the modified electrode possessed a very good reproducibility and long-term stability. The method was also successfully applied for determination of DA in human urine samples with satisfactory results.     

A non-enzymatic sensor for hydrogen peroxide based on polyaniline, multiwalled carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles modified Au electrode

We describe the construction of a polyaniline (PANI), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified Au electrode for determination of hydrogen peroxide without using peroxidase (HRP). The AuNPs/MWCNT/PANI composite film deposited on Au electrode was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies of the electrode at different stages of construction demonstrated that the modified electrode had enhanced electrochemical oxidation of H(2)O(2), which offers a number of attractive features to develop amperometric sensors based on split of H(2)O(2). The amperometric response to H(2)O(2) showed a linear relationship in the range from 3.0 μM to 600.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.3 μM (S/N = 3) and with high sensitivity of 3.3 mA μM(-1). The sensor gave accurate and satisfactory results, when employed for determination of H(2)O(2) in milk and urine.     

壳聚糖-铜复合物修饰电极对过氧化氢电催化性能的研究

将壳聚糖与铜盐通过配位结合制得壳聚糖-铜复合物(CTS-Cu),并用其修饰玻碳电极,使用循环伏安法和计时安培法研究了该修饰电极对H2O2的电催化性能,对其催化机理进行了探讨.优化的实验条件为:以0.1 mol/L.磷酸缓冲溶液(PBS,pH 7.0)为反应介质,CTS-Cu修饰液中的铜离子浓度为6 mmol/L,工作电...     

聚4-(2-吡啶偶氮)间苯二酚膜修饰玻碳电极测定过氧化氢

利用循环伏安法（-0.5～2.2 V）将4-(2-吡啶偶氮)间苯二酚(PAR)电聚合修饰到玻碳电极表面,制备了聚PAR膜过氧化氢（H2O2）传感器。 并采用循环伏安法和计时安培法研究了修饰电极的电化学性质和对H2O2的响应特性。 结果表明,PAR膜修饰电极在低的电位下对H2O2具有优异的电催化还原效应。 在磷酸盐缓冲溶液中(pH=8.0)用计时安培法对H2O2进行了测定（工作电位0.45 V）,响应电流与其浓度在2×10-5～1.76×10-3 mol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,线性相关系数r=-0.999 83,检测限(S/N=3)为3 μmol/L。该修饰电极灵敏度高、稳定性好、制备简单,在H2O2的测定中对抗坏血酸、尿酸和葡萄糖有较好的抗干扰性。