An Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for the Detection of Alzheimer’s Tau Protein Based on Gold Nanostar Decorated Carbon Nitride Nanosheets

Human Tau protein is the most reliable biomarker for the prediction of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the assay to detect low concentrations of tau protein in serum is a great challenge for the early diagnosis of AD. This paper reports an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for Tau protein in serum samples. Gold nanostars (AuNSs) decorated on carbon nitride nanosheets (AuNS@g-CN nanostructure) show highly strong and stable ECL activity compared to pristine CN nanosheets due to the electrocatalytic and surface plasmon effects of AuNSs. As a result of the strong electromagnetic field at branches, AuNSs showed a better ECL enhancement effect than their spherical counterpart. For the fabrication of a specific immunosensor, immobilized AuNSs were functionalized with a monoclonal antibody specific for Tau protein. In the presence of Tau protein, the ECL intensity of the immunosensor decreased considerably. Under the optimal conditions, this ECL based immunosensor exhibits a dynamic linear range from 0.1 to 100 ng mL⁻¹ with a low limit of detection of 0.034 ng mL⁻¹. The LOD is less than the Tau level in human serum; thus, this study provides a useful method for the determination of Tau. The fabricated ECL immunosensor was successfully applied to the detection of Tau, the biomarker in serum samples. Therefore, the present approach is very promising for application in diagnosing AD within the early stages of the disease.     

Enhanced immunoassay for porcine circovirus type 2 antibody using enzyme-loaded and quantum dots-embedded shell–core silica nanospheres based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Boosting the detection sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is significant to the early clinical diagnosis of various diseases. Here, we developed a versatile immunosensor using silica nanospheres as carriers for sensitive detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antibody. With HRP enzyme covalently immobilized on the silica nanospheres and CdSe nanocrystals embedded inside, these signal probes were successfully utilized in the sensitive detection of PCV2 antibody by ELISA, fluorometry and square-wave voltammetry (SWV). To further demonstrate the performance of the immunosensor, Human IgG (HIgG) was used as a model analyte. Since more HRP and CdSe QDs were loaded, 5-, 200- and 400-fold enhancements in amplified ELISA, fluorometry and voltammetry responses for HIgG could be achieved compared to conventional ELISA. The respective detection limits of theses methods for HIgG were 3.9, 0.1 and 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ with a RSD below 5% for amplified ELISA, fluorescence and SWV measurements. Additionally, a 100-fold improvement was obtained in the detection sensitivity for PCV2 antibody immunoassay. The versatile immunosensor exhibits good sensitivity, stability and reproducibility, suggesting its potential applications in clinical diagnostics.     

Ultrasensitive detection of IgE levels based on magnetic nanocapturer linked immunosensor assay for early diagnosis of cancer

Rapid and accurate detection of immunoglobulin E(Ig E) in serum and reduction of serum dosage are of great significance for clinical detection. Herein, we described a rapid magnetic separation of Ig E from patient serum based on Fe3 O4@Si O2-NTA@026 sdab as the capture probe and multiple horseradish peroxidase(HRP)-labeled antibodies linked gold nanoparticles(Au NPs) as chemiluminescence(CL) signal amplifier for ultrasensitive detection of total Ig E. Results showed that the limit of detection o...     

Serological Diagnosis of Tularemia in Mice Using the Amperometric Immunosensor

Tularemia caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis belongs to danger infective diseases, therefore timely diagnosis is an important part of protective activities. A novel approach for serological diagnostics of tularemia using a four‐channel amperometric immunosensor was proposed and evaluated on BALB/c mice as a model organism. The immunosensor was able to work with small volumes of serum samples (0.05 μL per assay) and diagnosed tularemic infection very early after immunization. From the 5^th day, it was possible to distinguish tularemic sera from control sera from mice immunized with Escherichia coli on the probability level of 0.99 (t‐test). Some 40 measurements per one hour can be realized with the developed procedure. The obtained results were confirmed by the standard indirect ELISA. The proposed immunosensor‐based approach seems promising for rapid detection of microbial pathogen infections.     

Capacitance Polypyrrole‐based Impedimetric Immunosensor for Interleukin‐10 Cytokine Detection

In the present study, we developed a novel label‐free capacitance impedimetric immunosensor based on the immobilization of the human monoclonal antibody anti‐interleukin‐10 (anti‐IL‐10 mAb) onto polypyrrole (PPy)‐modified silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) substrates. The immunosensor was used for the detection of the recombinant interleukin‐10 antigen (rh IL‐10) that may be secreted in patients at the early stage of inflammation. The immunosensor was created by chemical deposition of PPy conducting layer on pyrrole?silane (SPy)‐treated Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄ substrates (Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄?SPy), followed by anti‐IL‐10 mAb immobilization through carboxyl‐functionalized diazonium (CMA) protocol and carbodiimide chemistry. The surface characterization and the biofunctionalization steps were characterized by SEM, FTIR and cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the detection process was carried out by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The created immunosensor showed two linear fittings (R²=0.999) for the detection of rh IL‐10 within the concentration range from 1–50 pg/mL. It exhibited high sensitivity (0.1128 (pg/mL)^?1) with a very low limit of detection (LOD)=0.347 pg/mL, more particularly, at the low concentration range (1–10 pg/mL). Thus, this developed polypyrrole‐based immunosensor represents a promising strategy for creation of miniaturized label‐free, fast and highly sensitive biosensors for diagnosis of inflammation biomarkers at very low concentrations with reduced cost.     

A novel photoelectrochemical immunosensor by integration of nanobody and TiO2 nanotubes for sensitive detection of serum cystatin C

Cystatin C (CysC) is a sensitive marker for the estimation of the glomerular filtration rate and the clinical diagnosis of different diseases. In this paper, CysC-specific nanobodies (Nbs) were isolated from a phage display nanobody library. A simple and sensitive photoelectrochemical immunosensor based on TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNAs) was proposed for the sensitive detection of CysC. The TiO₂ nanotube arrays deposited by electrochemical anodization displayed a high and stable photocurrent response under irradiation. After coupling CysC-specific nanobody to TNA (Nb/TNA), the proposed immunosensor for CysC can be utilized for tracking the photocurrent change of Nb/TNA caused by immunoreactions between CysC and the immobilized CysC-specific Nb. This allowed for the determination of CysC with a calibration range from 0.72 pM to 7.19 nM. The variation of the photocurrent was in a linear relationship with the logarithm of the CysC concentration in the range of 0.72 pM–3.6 nM. The immunosensor had a correlation coefficient of 0.97 and a detection limit of 0.14 pM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The proposed immunosensor showed satisfactory intra- and inter-assay accuracy, high selectivity and good stability. As a result, this proposed strategy would offer a novel and simple approach for the detection of immunoreactions, provide new insights in popularizing the diagnosis of CysC, and extend the application of TiO₂ nanotubes.     

Electrochemical Immunoassay for Carbohydrate Antigen‐125 Based on Polythionine and Gold Hollow Microspheres Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

A new electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of carbohydrate antigen‐125 (CA125), a carcinoma antigen, was developed by immobilization CA125 antibody (anti‐CA125) on gold hollow microspheres and porous polythionine (PTH) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). The gold hollow microspheres provided a biocompatible microenvironment for proteins, and greatly amplified the coverage of anti‐CA125 molecules on the electrode surface. The performance and factors influencing the immunosensor were investigated in detail. The detection is based on the current change before and after the antigen‐antibody interaction. Under optimal conditions, the amperometric changes were proportional to CA125 concentration ranging from 4.5 to 36.5 U/mL with a detection limit of 1.3 U/mL (at 3σ). The CA125 immunosensor exhibited good precision, high sensitivity, acceptable stability, accuracy and reproducibility. The as‐prepared immunosensors were used to analyze CA125 in human serum specimens. Analytical results suggest that the developed immunoassay has a promising alternative approach for detecting CA125 in the clinical diagnosis.     

An electrochemical immunosensor for the tumor marker α-fetoprotein using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a poly(5-formylindole), single-wall carbon nanotubes,and coated with gold nanoparticles and antibody

We report on a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for α-fetoprotein (α-FP). It is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode that was first modified with conducting poly(5-formylindole) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (P5FIn/SWNTs), and then coated with gold nanoparticles and the respective antibody. The presence of aldehyde groups warrants direct immobilization of the antibody and results in a convenient method for fabricating of the immunosensor. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were deposited on the P5FIn/SWNTs composite material, and the modified electrode was applied to the detection of α-FP. The analytical signal is obtained by measuring the change of amperometric response at a typical working voltage of 100 mV before and after the immunoreaction. The detection limit is 200 fg mL^?1. The immunosensor is simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible. It has the potential for reliable point-of-care diagnosis of tumor or other diseases. Figure

A simple electrochemical immunosensor based on conducting poly(5-formylindole) and single-walled carbon nanotubes composite was fabricated to detect alpha-fetoprotein. The detection limit is 200 fg mL^?1. This immunosensor is simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible.     

Electrochemical Immunosensor for Lactate Dehydrogenase Detection Through Analyte-driven Catalytic Reaction on Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Gold Nanoparticle Modified Carbon Electrode

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) detection was proposed based on analyte-driven catalytic reaction by attaching LDH antibodies on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). As LDH was captured by the antibodies on electrode surface, it catalyzed the formation of pyruvate and the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), thus a sensitive electrochemical signal obtained from the above redox reaction was recorded by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimum conditions, the developed immunosensor exhibits high sensitivity for LDH quantification ranging from 0.001 μg/mL to 0.5 μg/mL with a low detection limit at 0.39 ng/mL. This developed immunosensor reveals ideal accuracy and feasibility for LDH detection in Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis) induced bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs) samples by comparison with conventional commercial kit, which shows remarkably application potential in diseases diagnosis.     

Portable smartphone-based microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein in human serum

Rapid and accurate tracing of biomarkers is essential for early detecting and diagnosing of cancer. Therefore, a valid and convenient strategy needs to be developed for efficient monitoring of cancer biomarkers. Herein, we constructed a portable microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor based on three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (3D rGO) doped with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for ultrasensitive determination of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The designed microfluidic chip, with the advantages of small injection volume, detachable structure and high integration, was fabricated by 3D printing, which only needed 9 μL of reagent to realize the high sensitivity detection. In addition, the 3D Au NPs-rGO composites with high specific surface area and electrons transfer capacity can effectively increase electroactive sites and enhance electrochemical signals. Benefiting from these features, the 3D Au NPs-rGO microfluidic electrochemical immunochip showed a wide detection range between 0.1 pg/mL–200 ng/mL and a best detection limit of 0.045 pg/mL with the high sensitivity of 175.008 μA (ng/mL)⁻¹ cm⁻². Meanwhile, the proposed immunosensor exhibited reliable AFP detection in human serum samples, which demonstrated that this portable smartphone-based microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor hold great promises in clinical detection and huge potential in personalized healthcare.     

Chronoamperometry Measurement for Rapid Cucumber Mosaic Virus Detection in Plants

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) causes major losses to agricultural and horticultural crops around the world. Hence, a rapid assay for the detection of CMV which can be employed in both laboratory and field is essential. A portable electrochemical immunosensor system for the detection of CMV, based on immobilized CMV specific antibodies conjugated with gold nanoparticle was developed for this purpose. The conjugated antibodies were added with polymer and deposited onto carbon screen printed working electrodes. Optimization of the modified surface immunosensor was performed using sandwich immunoassay format (ELISA). The initial ELISA result for the standard curve development showed a limit of detection down to 0.1mg/mL. Subsequently, the immunosensor was tested for cross reactivity with other plant pathogens. The performance of the electrochemical immunosensor revealed that it has a high selectivity in sample matrix with other organism. This immunosensor provides a promising technology for simple and sensitive detection system that is essential in rapid detection of plant pathogens.     

An ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for CA72-4 based on a signal amplification strategy of MoS2 nanoflower-supported Au nanoparticles

Accurate detection of cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4), a tumor-associated glycoprotein, is of great significance for gastric cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy monitoring. Modification of noble metal nanoparticles on transition metal dichalcogenides can significantly enhance functions, such as electron transport. Molybdenum disulfide gold nanoparticles nanocomposites (MoS₂-Au NPs) were prepared in this study and a series of characterization studies were carried out. In addition, a label-free, highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor molybdenum disulfide -Au nanoparticles/Glassy carbon electrode (MoS₂-Au NPs/GCE) was also prepared and used for the detection of CA72-4. The electrochemical performance of the immunosensor was characterized by electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicated that better MoS₂-Au NPs nanomaterials have been synthesized, and the prepared electrochemical immunosensor, MoS₂-Au NPs/GCE, showed excellent electrochemical performance. The sensor exhibited high detection sensitivity under optimal conditions, including an incubation time of 30 min, an incubation temperature of 25 °C, and a pH of 7.0. The electrochemical immunosensor also had a low detection limit of 2.0 × 10^?5 U/mL (S/N = 3) in a concentration range of 0.001–200 U/mL, with good selectivity, stability, and repeatability. In conclusion, this study provided a theoretical basis for the highly sensitive detection of tumor markers in clinical biological samples.     

A Renewable Potentiometric Immunosensor Based on Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Immobilized Anti‐IgG

A renewable potentiometric immunosensor for detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been developed by magnetic force attraction of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles immobilized goat‐anti‐human IgG antibody. For preparing sensitive film of the sensor, cysteine was bonded on the nano‐Fe₃O₄ particles surface. The cysteine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles was attracted on a solid paraffin carbon paste electrode surface to covalently immobilize of anti‐immunoglobulin G (anti‐IgG) by employing a conventional glutaraldehyde‐crosslinking method. The immunosensor showed a specific response to human immunoglobulin G in the range of 0.1–1.2 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.023 ng/mL. The immunosensor based on the magnetic nanoparticles was made easily by this method. It can be used expediently, renewed easily and low‐cost relatively. The renewable potentiometric immunosensor with better stability and higher sensitivity can be employed extensively in clinical diagnosis, monitoring of disease and environmental studies and etc.     

Nanocomposites of gold nanoparticles and graphene oxide towards an stable label-free electrochemical immunosensor for detection of cardiac marker troponin-I

A stable label-free amperometric immunosensor is presented based on gold nanoparticles and graphene oxide nanocomposites for detection of cardiac troponin-I in the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction. For designing of the sensing platform, firstly the nanocomposites based on GO and AuNPs were prepared and anchored on electrode surfaces. The formed nanocomposites provided a platform with big surface area for loading anti-cTnI capture antibody, and worked as a bridge for fast electron transfer subsequently increased the sensitivity. Moreover, the linkages between AuNP, GO, and electrodes were based on covalent bonding by aryldiazonium salt coupling chemistry, which favors the stability of the sensing interface. Finally, the anti-cTnI detection antibody was immobilized on GO tailored with ferrocene molecules, functioning as the signal reporter for the detection of cTnI. The modification process was monitored using electrochemistry, SEM, XPS. The herein immunosensor demonstrates a good selectivity and high sensitivity against human-cTnI, and is capable of detecting cTnI at concentrations as low as 0.05 ng mL⁻¹, which is 100 times lower than that possible by conventional methods. It is potential to design the portable sensing platform based on AuNPs and GO nanocomposites for future point-of-care diagnostics.     

Disposable Amperometric A-fetoprotein Immunosensor Based on the Biocompatible Silk Protein Membranes-Modified Indium Tin Oxide Electrodes

A simple and disposable electrochemical immunosensor for detection of 68 kDa alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was fabricated based on films of silk fibroin protein membrane (SFPM)/Prussian blue (PB)/deposition of gold nanoparticles (DpAu). First, DpAu and PB were electrochemically deposited successively on the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. Then, SFPM with excellent biocompatibility was modified on the surface of PB/DpAu/ITO. The SFPM could form a stable matrix on the electrode surface for the deposition of immunoactive agents. More importantly, the SFPM could prevent the possible leakage of electron mediator and enhance the stability of immunosensor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the assembly process of the modified electrode. The linear range of the proposed immunosensor extended from 1.0 to 200.0 ng/mL for detection of AFP with a detection limit of 0.6 ng/mL. Moreover, the CV test demonstrated the immunosensor exhibited acceptable reproducibility and stability. This composite membrane could be applied for the detection of different biomarkers, diagnosis, and monitoring of carcinoma.

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Analytical Letters for the following free supplemental resources: additional figures.]     

Cerium oxide nanofiber–based electrochemical immunosensor for detection of sepsis in biological fluid

Sepsis causes life-threatening complications with the highest burden of death and medical expenses in hospitals worldwide. Despite the progression of targeted therapies for sepsis, the challenge of early diagnosis of sepsis-related biomarkers remains. The analysis of the TNF-α and sTREM-1 in biological fluids provides essential information for effective treatments. In this work, we report developing an electrochemical immunosensor for the rapid detection of TNF-α and sTREM-1 proteins in human plasma samples. First, using the electrospinning process, cerium oxide nanofibers were synthesized. Subsequently, the antibodies corresponding to the targeted proteins are immobilized onto the surface-functionalized working electrodes using NHS/EDC chemistry. The proposed immunosensor’s performance in a biological fluid was assessed using an analytical electrochemistry approach. The limit of detection for the electrochemical immunosensors was 0.51 and 0.41 pg/mL for TNF-α and sTREM-1, respectively, with high selectivity and sensitivity for the use as a point of care device.

     

A piezoelectric immunoassay based on self-assembled monolayers of cystamine and polystyrene sulfonate for determination of Schistosoma japonicum antibodies

A piezoelectric immunosensor based on an improved immobilization strategy combining self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of cystamine (Cys) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) has been developed for the determination of Schistosoma japonicum antibodies (SjAb) in rabbit serum. Cys SAM were first applied to the gold electrode surface of the crystal, serving as a positively-charged base. Schistosoma japonicum antigen (SjAg) was then electrostatically immobilized on the crystal by means of a negatively-charged PSS layer. When sealed by use of an appropriately selected blocking reagent for BSA and normal rabbit serum (NRS), non-specific adsorption could be substantially reduced.The immunosensor was used to determine SjAb in optimized buffer medium with addition of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which served as an immunoreaction enhancer. It was shown experimentally that SjAg immobilized by the Cys-PSS adsorption procedure had higher immunological activity or binding efficiency than those immobilized by the glutaraldehyde (GLU) binding or direct attachment procedures. The immunosensor developed had satisfactory sensitivity and detection limit, and regeneration of the piezoelectric quartz-crystal was easy. Analytical results obtained with infected rabbit serum samples indicated that the proposed immunosensor is a promising alternative for qualitative and quantitative determination of SjAb in clinical diagnosis of infection with Schistosoma japonicum.     

Sensitive detection of thyroid stimulating hormone by inkjet printed microchip with a double signal amplification strategy

In this paper, we reported a sensitive electrochemical immunosensor coupling protein A/G@magnetic beads and an ALP-based enzymatic-electrochemical reaction on the inkjet printing microchips for the determination of thyroid stimulating hormone.     

Electrochemical Magnetoimmunosensing Approach for the Sensitive Detection of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Particles

A novel electrochemical magnetoimmunosensor for fast and ultrasensitive detection of H9N2 avian influenza virus particles (H9N2 AIV) was designed based on the combination of high‐efficiency immunomagnetic separation, enzyme catalytic amplification, and the biotin–streptavidin system. The reusable, homemade magneto Au electrode (M‐AuE) was designed and used for the direct sensing. Immunocomplex‐coated magnetic beads (IMBs) were easily accumulated on the surface of the M‐AuE to obtain the catalytically reduced electrochemical signal of H₂O₂ after the immunoreaction. The transducer was regenerated through a simple washing procedure, which made it possible to detect all the samples on a single electrode with higher reproducibility. The magnetic‐bead‐based electrochemical immunosensor showed better analytical performance than the planar‐electrode‐based immunosensor with the same sandwich construction. Amounts as low as 10 pg mL^?1 H9N2 AIV could be detected even in samples of chicken dung. This electrochemical magnetoimmunosensor not only provides a simple platform for the detection of the virus with high sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility but also shows great potential in the early diagnosis of diseases.