倏逝波光纤免疫传感器探头的修饰及表征

光纤探头上修饰生物识别分子是倏逝波光纤免疫传感器实现目标物检测的关键步骤. 以微囊藻毒素-LR (microcystin-LR, MC-LR)为例, 采用先将小分子半抗原MC-LR与经戊二醛活化的惰性蛋白(OVA)反应生成复合物MC-LR-OVA, 然后将该复合物通过双功能试剂连接到硅烷化后的光纤探头表面, 并采用XPS和倏逝波全光纤免疫传感器对其修饰效果进行表征. 结果表明, 修饰后探头表面化学元素组成随不同修饰步骤发生了显著的变化, MC-LR-OVA被共价键合到探头表面上. 探头对MC-LR抗体表现出强烈的特异性响应, 而对其它抗体蛋白的非特异性吸附很弱, 并且具有良好的再生性能. 因此, 该修饰方案适用于环境小分子污染物的检测.     

Detection of DNA Hybridization via Fluorescence Intensity Variations of ZnSe-DNA Quantum Dot Biosensors

ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) that were capped with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and conjugated to amino-modified ssDNA molecules exhibited variations in fluorescence emission intensity upon hybridization with complementary ssDNA in solution, a phenomenon that can be exploited for rapid detection of free ssDNA sequences. Conjugation of MUA-capped ZnSe QDs to amino-modified ssDNA molecules resulted in increased fluorescence emission intensity and stability at room temperature. Increasing the length of the ssDNA, that was conjugated to the QDs, resulted in increased fluorescence emission intensity up to a length of about 50 nucleotide bases, beyond which the peak emission intensity reached a plateau. Hybridization of QD-ssDNA conjugates with complementary ssDNA, either in free form or bound to QDs from the same population, resulted in additional fluorescence emission intensity amplification. A small red shift was observed when three-dimensional QD-dsDNA-QD structures were formed. The QD-ssDNA sensors with single ssDNA molecule per QD were developed and used for rapid quantitative detection of fully or partially complementary free ssDNA sequences in aqueous solution. Partial hybridization of the QD-ssDNA sensors with short ssDNA targets resulted in smaller QD emission intensity amplification, when compared to full hybridization. A QD-ssDNA sensor containing a sequence corresponding to the hemoglobin beta gene was used to detect and discriminate between free ssDNA targets consisting of a complementary ssDNA sequence and targets containing a single-base mutation that can cause sickle-cell anemia. Such QD-based biosensors can form the basis for rapid separation-free assays that can be used to detect target biomolecules in solution.     

Terminal protection of small molecule-linked ssDNA-SWNT nanoassembly for sensitive detection of small molecule and protein interaction

The interactions between small molecules and proteins constitute a critical regulatory mechanism in many fundamental biological processes.A novel biosensing strategy has been developed for sensitive and selective detection of small molecule and protein interaction on the basis of terminal protection of small molecule-linked ssDNA-SWNT nanoassembly.The developed strategy is demonstrated using folate and its binding protein folate receptor(FR) as a model case.The results reveal the developed technique displays superb resistance to non-specific binding,very low detection limit as low as subnanomolar,and a wide dynamic range from 100 pmol/L to 500 nmol/L of FR.Thus,it may offer a simple,cost-effective,highly selective and sensitive platform for homogeneous fluorescence detection of small molecule-protein interaction and related biochemical studies.     

Characterisation and optimisation of an immunoprobe for triazines

The characterisation and optimisation of an optical immunoassay with label free detection based on Reflectometric Interference Spectroscopy (RIfS) is presented. The immunoprobe is operated in a sequential scheme, where Fab-fragments react with analyte molecules in a first step. In a second step the optical transducer is used to quantify the amount of unoccupied Fab- fragments in the reaction mixture binding to the hapten-modified transducer surface. For optimisation of the test, the Fab-fragment concentration was varied between 2x10(-8) mol/l and 2.5x 10(-9) mol/l. Down to a concentration of 5x10(-9) mol/l a reduction in the limit of detection has been observed. At the lowest concentration investigated no further improvement has been found due to a reduced binding of the analyte and a strong decrease of antibody binding at the transducer surface. This finding could be explained by the thermodynamics of the antigen-antibody reaction and the performance of the optical transducer used. The limit of detection obtained is discussed with respect to thermodynamics, transducer characteristics and immunoprobe test format.     

Method for determination of microcystin-leucine-arginine in water samples based on the quenching of the fluorescence of bioconjugates between CdSe/CdS quantum dots and microcystin-leucine-arginine antibody

We have developed a method for the determination of microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) in water samples that is based on the quenching of the fluorescence of bioconjugates between CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) and the respective antibody after binding of MC-LR. The core-shell CdSe/CdS QDs were modified with 2-mercaptoacetic acid to improve water solubility while their high quantum yields were preserved. Monoclonal MC-LR antibody was then covalently bioconjugated to the QDs. It was found that the fluorescence intensity of the bioconjugates was quenched in the presence of MC-LR. A linear relationship exists between the extent of quenching and the concentration of MC-LR. Parameters affecting the quenching were investigated and optimized. The limit of detection is 6.9?×?10^?11 mol L^?1 (3σ). The method was successfully applied to the determination of MC-LR in water samples.

Solid-phase luminescent catalyst immunoassay for human serum albumin with hemin as labeling catalyst

A solid-phase luminescent catalyst immunoassay is described for the determination of human serum albumin (HSA) in solution; hemin is used as a label which catalytically amplifies the sensitivity. The method is essentially a non-radioactive and non-enzymatic sandwich immunoassay. Anti-HSA antibody is covalently bound to a transparent plate, which then undergoes the immunochemical reaction with HSA in the test solution, and with the fixed amount of hemin-labeled anti-HSA antibody. After the two-step immunoreaction, the immunochemically-adsorbed hemin-antibody conjugate is quantified by means of the luminescence produced in a solution containing luminol and hydrogen peroxide. The luminescence intensity is correlated with the amount of HSA. The limit of detection for HSA is 1 ng ml^-1.     

Surface modification for enhancing antibody binding on polymer-based microfluidic device for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A novel surface treatment method using poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), an amine-bearing polymer, was developed to enhance antibody binding on the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic immunoassay device. By treating the PMMA surface of the microchannel on the microfluidic device with PEI, 10 times more active antibodies can be bound to the microchannel surface as compared to those without treatment or treated with the small amine-bearing molecule, hexamethylenediamine (HMD). Consequently, PEI surface modification greatly improved the immunoassay performance of the microfluidic device, making it more sensitive and reliable in the detection of IgG. The improvement can be attributed to the spacer effect as well as the functional amine groups provided by the polymeric PEI molecules. Due to the smaller dimensions (140x125 microm) of the microchannel, the time required for antibody diffusion and adsorption onto the microchannel surface was reduced to only several minutes, which was 10 times faster than the similar process carried out in 96-well plates. The microchip also had a wider detection dynamic range, from 5 to 1000 ng/mL, as compared to that of the microtiter plate (from 2 to 100 ng/mL). With the PEI surface modification, PMMA-based microchips can be effectively used for enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with a similar detection limit, but much less reagent consumption and shorter assay time as compared to the conventional 96-well plate.     

Characterisation and optimisation of an immunoprobe for triazines

The characterisation and optimisation of an optical immunoassay with label free detection based on Reflectometric Interference Spectroscopy (RIfS) is presented. The immunoprobe is operated in a sequential scheme, where Fab-fragments react with analyte molecules in a first step. In a second step the optical transducer is used to quantify the amount of unoccupied Fab- fragments in the reaction mixture binding to the hapten-modified transducer surface. For optimisation of the test, the Fab-fragment concentration was varied between 2×10^-8 mol/l and 2.5× 10^–9 mol/l. Down to a concentration of 5×10^-9 mol/l a reduction in the limit of detection has been observed. At the lowest concentration investigated no further improvement has been found due to a reduced binding of the analyte and a strong decrease of antibody binding at the transducer surface. This finding could be explained by the thermodynamics of the antigen-antibody reaction and the performance of the optical transducer used. The limit of detection obtained is discussed with respect to thermodynamics, transducer characteristics and immunoprobe test format.     

Quantum dot-based immunosensor for the detection of prostate-specific antigen using fluorescence microscopy

A sensitive optical method based on quantum dot (QD) technology is demonstrated for the detection of an important cancer marker, total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) on a disposable carbon substrate surface. Immuno-recognition was carried out on a carbon substrate using a sandwich assay approach, where the primary antibody (Ab)-protein A complex covalently bound to the substrate surface, was allowed to capture TPSA. After the recognition event, the substrate was exposed to the biotinylated secondary Abs. After incubation with the QD streptavidin conjugates, QDs were captured on the substrate surface by the strong biotin-streptavidin affinity. Fluorescence imaging of the substrate surface illuminated the QDs, and provided a very sensitive tool for the detection of TPSA in undiluted human serum samples with a detection limit of 0.25 ng/mL. The potential of this method for application as a simple and efficient diagnostic strategy for immunoassays is discussed.     

A layer-by-layer assembly label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of microcystin-LR based on CHIT/PAMAM dendrimer/silver nanocubes

Utilising the affinity and high combination ability between silver nanocubes and amino group (–NH₂), a novel electrochemical immunosensor was constructed for the ultrasensitive detection of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) based on G4-polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer and Ag nanocubes as immobilised substrate of anti-MC-LR. G4-PAMAM dendrimers were covalently bound on the chitosan (CHIT) – modified electrode by glutaraldehyde (GA), providing abundant amino groups to absorb much more Ag nanocubes comparing without using PAMAM. Subsequently, antibodies of MC-LR were immobilised with highly dense through Ag-NH₂. K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆ was used as electroactive redox probe. Ag nanocubes/PAMAM can enhance the antibody loading amount, which would bind more MC-LR and hinder the electron transfer of K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed to evaluate the analytical performance of the fabricated signal-off immunosensor. The response current had negative correlation with the concentration of MC-LR. The linear range covered was from 0.05 ng/mL to 25 μg/mL with detection limit (DL) of 0.017 ng/mL at 3σ. The proposed approach showed high specificity for the detection of MC-LR, with acceptable reproducibility, stability and reliability. Compared with the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) method by analyzing real water samples from Dian Lake, this immunosensor revealed acceptable accuracy with a relative error of 12.7%, indicating a potential alternative method for MC-LR detection in water sample.     

High-intensity fluorescence imaging and sensitive electrochemical detection of cancer cells by using an extracellular supramolecular reticular DNA-quantum dot sheath

Acting as a cage-type cellular probe, an extracellular supramolecular reticular DNA-quantum dot (QD) sheath has been developed for high-intensity fluorescence microscopy imaging and the sensitive electrochemical detection of Ramos cells. The extracellular supramolecular reticular DNA-QD sheath is constructed from layer-by-layer self-assembly of DNA-CdTe QD probes and DNA nanowire frameworks functionalized with a Ramos cell-binding aptamer. The DNA-QD sheath forms specifically and quickly on the surface of Ramos cells at physiological temperature, and the assembly of large numbers of DNA-CdTe QD probes on the surface of Ramos cells produces exceedingly high fluorescence intensity. Using the extracellular supramolecular reticular DNA-QD sheath as the cellular probe, Ramos cells can be clearly observed and easily distinguished from a mixture of multiple cancer cells by fluorescence microscopy imaging. Using the new cage-type cellular probe, a sensitive sandwich-type electrochemical strategy has also been developed to achieve accurate quantitative analysis of Ramos cells. Under the optimized conditions, Ramos cells can be detected quantitatively in a range from 10 to 1000 cells with a detection limit of 10 cells. This strategy presents a promising platform for highly sensitive and convenient evaluation of cancer cell levels.     

Ultrasensitive immunoassay of microcystins-LR using G-quadruplex DNAzyme as an electrocatalyst

An electrochemical immunoassay for microcystin-LR (MC-LR) detection was developed using multi-labeled horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electrocatalyst for signal amplification. CNTs were covalently conjugated to multiple DNAzyme along with MC-LR for a competitive immunoassay. The as-prepared DNAzyme/CNTs/MC-LR biolabel was specifically captured on the electrode surface, and current responses were obtained upon the electro-catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide by the captured biolabels. Under optimal conditions, the electro-catalytic current decreased linearly with the increase amount of MC-LR in the range from 0.01 to 7.0 µg L^?1. The linear regression equation was I (µA) = 12.96 ? 1.48 X _[MC–LR] (µg L^?1), with a correlation coefficient of 0.989. The limit of detection of MC-LR was 2.31 ng L^?1. Application of the immunoassay method and LC/MS/MS method for MC-LR determination on spiked reservoir water gave recovery range of 91.7–105.2% and 94.0–105.0%, respectively. The resulting versatile immunoassay exhibited high sensitivity, good precision and satisfactory reproducibility, which could have vast potential in routine water quality monitoring for various environmental toxins.     

Synergistic effect of orientation and lateral spacing of protein G on an on-chip immunoassay

The proper orientation and lateral spacing of antibody molecules are a crucial element for an on-chip immunoassay in which the antibody or its antigen-binding fragments are immobilized on a solid surface. We covalently immobilized a modified protein G (Cys-protein G: protein G with only an N-terminal cysteine) on a dendron-coated surface to control its orientation and lateral spacing simultaneously. The cysteine-specific immobilization of Cys-protein G through the N-terminal cysteine resulted in 2.2-fold higher binding efficiency of Cys-protein G to IgG(2a) capture antibody than its random immobilization via lysine residues. The lateral spacing of 3.2 nm due to the surface modification with the 9-acid dendron molecule contributed to a 1.5-fold increase in the antibody-binding ability of Cys-protein G. Topographic images of atomic force microscopy exhibited a uniform coverage of Cys-protein G molecules immobilized on the thiol-reactive 9-acid dendron surface and homogeneous distribution of antibody bound to Cys-protein G. In the sandwich immunoassay, the control of the orientation of Cys-protein G led to 10-fold higher detection capability for rIL-2 compared with the randomly oriented protein G. The synergistic advantage of the unidirectional orientation and homogeneous lateral spacing of Cys-protein Gs on the dendron-coated surface can be applied to the development of more sensitive and reproducible antibody microarrays.     

Bead-Based Optical Immunoassay Using Quantum-Dot Labeling and Immunocomplex Dissociation for Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7

An immunoassay for Escherichia coli O157:H7 using quantum-dot (QD) labeling and subsequent release of the QD labels from immunocomplexes has been developed. The assay principle is that anti-E. coli O157:H7 conjugated immunomagnetic beads are used to capture E. coli O157:H7; this is followed by the binding of QD labeled antibodies to form sandwich immunocomplexes (Bead-Cell-QD); a dissociation buffer then elutes QDs from immunocomplexes by denaturing antibody or lysing cell; the fluorescence signal of the eluted QDs is measured to quantify E. coli O157:H7. This proposed approach avoids the interference of bead autofluorescence in signal transduction and, thus, enhances the detection resolution, while keeping the fast magnetic separation and sandwich binding of two selective antibodies for high specificity.     

Sensitive and rapid chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for microcystin-LR in water samples

A highly sensitive, specific, simple, and rapid chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) was developed for the determination of microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Several physicochemical parameters such as the chemiluminescent assay mediums, the dilution ratio of MC-LR-OVA conjugate, monoclonal antibody concentration, and peroxidase labeled antibody concentration were studied and optimized. Under optimum conditions, calibration curve obtained for MC-LR had detection limits of 0.032 ± 0.003 μg L⁻¹, the 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) was 0.20 ± 0.02 μg L⁻¹ and the quantitative detection range was 0.062-0.65 μg L⁻¹. The proposed methods was successfully applied to the monitoring of MC-LR in spiked water samples without significant effect of the matrix, and the recovery of MC-LR added to water samples at different concentrations ranged from 80% to 115% with the coefficients of variation (CVs) less than 9%. The LOD attained from the calibration curves and the results obtained for the real samples demonstrate the potential use of CLEIA as a screening tool for the analysis of MC-LR in environmental samples.     

Simultaneous detection of ultraviolet B-induced DNA damage using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence

An immunoassay based on CE–LIF was developed for the simultaneous detection of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine 6-4 pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs) in genomic DNA irradiated with UVB or natural sunlight. Human cells were first exposed to varying amounts of UVB or natural sunlight to induce DNA damage. Genomic DNA was extracted and incubated with anti-CPD and anti-6-4PP primary antibodies attached to secondary antibodies with a fluorescent quantum dot (QD) reporter that emitted either red or yellow fluorescence. CE was used to separate the unbound antibodies from those bound to the photoproducts, and LIF with appropriate optical filters was used to separate the fluorescence signals from each QD to individual photomultiplier tubes for simultaneous photoproduct detection. Using this strategy, photoproducts were detected from ∼6 ng (200 ng μL⁻¹) of DNA under a low UVB fluence of 65 J m⁻² for CPDs or 195 J m⁻² for 6-4PPs. This assay was also the first to demonstrate the detection of CPDs in human cells after only 15 min of irradiation under natural sunlight.     

Quantum-dots based electrochemical immunoassay of interleukin-1α

We describe a quantum-dot (QD, CdSe@ZnS) based electrochemical immunoassay to detect a protein biomarker, interleukin-1α (IL-1α). QD conjugated with anti-IL-1α antibody was used as a label in an immunorecognition event. After a complete sandwich immunoreaction among the primary IL-1α antibody (immobilized on the avidin-modified magnetic beads), IL-1α, and the QD-labeled secondary antibody, QD labels were attached to the magnetic-bead surface through the antibody-antigen immunocomplex. Electrochemical stripping analysis of the captured QDs was used to quantify the concentration of IL-1α after an acid-dissolution step. The streptavidin-modified magnetic beads and the magnetic separation platform were used to integrate a facile antibody immobilization (through a biotin/streptavidin interaction) with immunoreactions and the isolation of immunocomplexes from reaction solutions in the assay. The voltammetric response is highly linear over the range of 0.5–50 ng ml⁻¹ IL-1α, and the limit of detection is estimated to be 0.3 ng ml⁻¹ (18 pM). This QD-based electrochemical immunoassay shows great promise for rapid, simple, and cost-effective analysis of protein biomarkers.     

Determination of bisphenol A in human breast milk by HPLC with column-switching and fluorescence detection

A highly sensitive HPLC method was developed for the determination of xenoestrogenic compound, bisphenol A (BPA) in human breast milk samples. After a two-step liquid-liquid extraction, BPA was derivatized with fluorescent labeling reagent, 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB-Cl). The excess fluorescent reagent could be removed effectively using a column-switching system. The separation of DIB-BPA from endogenous materials in milk was carried out on two C(18) columns and fluorescence intensity was monitored at 475 nm with the excitation of 350 nm. A good linearity (r = 0.994) was observed of BPA in the concentration range of 0.2-5.0 ng mL(-1) in breast milk, and the detection limit was 0.11 ng mL(-1) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Intra- and inter-day precision (RSD, %) were less than 8.7 and 10.4, respectively. Twenty-three breast milk samples of healthy lactating women were analyzed for the BPA concentration; the mean value was 0.61 +/- 0.20 ng mL(-1), with no correlation to the lipid content of milk samples.     

Capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser-induced fluorescence polarization as a hybrid approach to ultrasensitive immunoassays.

Immunoassays using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) is a powerful approach to the determination of trace amounts of analytes in a complex biological matrix. However, its applicability is limited by the requirement that the free and bound tracer (fluorescently labeled compound) be resolved for their identification and quantitation. Here we show that replacing LIF with laser-induced fluorescence polarization (LIFP) permits ultrasensitive immunoassays to be performed with or without the separation of the free and bound tracer. A binding system involving cyclosporin A (CyA) and monoclonal antibody to CyA was chosen to demonstrate both homogeneous and heterogeneous immunoassay approaches. In the homogeneous scheme where the free and bound tracer were not separated, the fluorescence polarization of the mixture was a quantitative measure of the antibody-bound tracer. The concentration and mass detection limits for CyA using the homogeneous competitive assay were found to be 1 nM and 1 amol (10(-18) mol), respectively. The heterogeneous assay involved a nearly baseline separation of the free and bound tracer using CE with a phosphate running buffer of pH 7.0. The complex of the tracer with the antibody had a fluorescence polarization of approximately 0.24 whereas the free tracer had negligible polarization. The fluorescence polarization was independent of analyte concentration, and the fluorescence intensity of either the free or bound tracer was used for quantitation. Results from both assays suggest that the CE-LIFP approaches may have a wider application than the immunoassays based on either CE-LIF or fluorescence polarization alone.     

Detection of recombinant hirudin using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Hirudin, a thrombin inhibitor, is a polypeptide of 65 amino acids. To check purity levels and perform pharmacokinetic studies of recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin), a specific and reproducible analysis method is required. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is rapidly becoming an important procedure for the analysis of biological molecules. Recently, CE combined with immunoassay has emerged as a new analytical technique. CE-based immunoassay (CEIA) is a sensitive and specific method combining laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and immunoassay. Therefore, in this study, we specifically investigated fluorescence labeling and determination of r-hirudin by CEIA with a LIF detector using labeled r-hirudin and polyclonal antibody. r-Hirudin was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). FITC-labeled r-hirudin was purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method is based on preincubation of r-hirudin and antibody for 20 min, followed by CE analysis using an uncoated capillary. Free and bound r-hirudin were separated within 5 min using CE with high reproducibility. This study demonstrated that the CEIA method could be applied to quantitative analysis of r-hirudin in biological fluids.