Designing nanomaterial-enhanced electrochemical immunosensors for cancer biomarker proteins

Detection of multiple cancer biomarker proteins in human serum and tissue at point-of-care is a viable approach for early cancer detection, but presents a major challenge to bioanalytical device development. This article reviews recent approaches developed in our laboratories combining nanoparticle decorated electrodes and multilabeled secondary antibody labeled particles to achieve high sensitivity for the detection of cancer biomarker proteins. Two nanomaterial-based sensor platforms were used: (a) upright single wall carbon nanotube forests and (b) layers of densely packed 5 nm gold nanoparticles. Both platforms feature pendant carboxylate groups for easy attachment of enzymes or antibodies by amidization. In quality performance tests, the biocatalytic responses for determination of hydrogen peroxide of AuNP layers with attached horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on electrodes gave somewhat better detection limit and sensitivity than single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) forest platforms with HRP attached. Evaluation of these sensors as platforms for sandwich immunoassays for cancer biomarker prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum showed that both approaches gave accurate results for human serum samples from cancer patients. The best detection limit (0.5 pg mL^− 1) and sensitivity were obtained by combining the AuNP immunosensors with binding of 1 μm diameter magnetic particles decorated with secondary antibodies and 7500 HRP labels.     

DNA-protein complexes

Sera of patients with different types of leukemia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been examined for the presence of the anti-DNA antibodies. DNA-hydrolyzing activity of antibodies was detected in the sera of patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), pre-B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia (pre-B-All), acute myeloleukosis (AML), and AIDS in stages III and IV of the disease. In immunofluorescence tests, the DNA-hydrolyzing antibodies reacted preferentially with proliferating cell nuclei compared with resting cells. A 35-kDa factor was identified as the target for the DNA antibodies in the cell nuclei. The DNA-hydrolyzing antibody fraction from the serum of an AIDS patient crossreacted with HIV I virus proteins gp160, gp120, and p65.     

Pyrenoviologen-based fluorescent sensor for detection of picric acid in aqueous solution

Two highly emissive pyrenoviologen derivatives were synthesized and used to fabricate fluorescent sensors for detection of picric acid(PA) with good sensitivity and selectivity.The sensitivity of the sensor was attributed to the specific electrostatic association effect of the cationic pyrenoviologens to the picrate anions,which also gave the sensor special selectivity among other compounds with similar structure.The electron transfer between them was attributed to the fluorescence response.Fluorescence lifetime measurements revealed that the quenching is static in nature.The novel and efficient pyrenoviologen derivatives-based sensors offered a strategy to fabricate real-life PA sensor.     

Pyrenoviologen-based fluorescent sensor for detection of picric acid in aqueous solution

Two highly emissive pyrenoviologen derivatives were synthesized and used to fabricate fluorescent sensors for detection of picric acid (PA) with good sensitivity and selectivity.     

Immunoanalytical techniques for pesticide monitoring based on fluorescence detection

In the field of environmental analysis there is still great potential for development and application of immunoanalytical techniques (IT). Heterogeneous and homogeneous immunoassays (IA), flow-injection immunoanalysis (FIIA) and immunosensors (IS) with different detection principles have been developed. In this review we focus on fluorescence methods for pesticide monitoring published since 1992. These techniques offer a high degree of selectivity and, in principle, sensitivity. Restrictions on the limits of detection (LOD) due to background signals are minimized by development of solid-phase separation systems, new fluorescent probes, and new instrumentation.     

Immunoanalytical techniques for pesticide monitoring based on fluorescence detection

In the field of environmental analysis there is still great potential for development and application of immunoanalytical techniques (IT). Heterogeneous and homogeneous immunoassays (IA), flow-injection immunoanalysis (FIIA) and immunosensors (IS) with different detection principles have been developed. In this review we focus on fluorescence methods for pesticide monitoring published since 1992. These techniques offer a high degree of selectivity and, in principle, sensitivity. Restrictions on the limits of detection (LOD) due to background signals are minimized by development of solid-phase separation systems, new fluorescent probes, and new instrumentation.     

Carbon nanotube amplification strategies for highly sensitive immunodetection of cancer biomarkers

We describe herein the combination of electrochemical immunosensors using single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) forest platforms with multi-label secondary antibody-nanotube bioconjugates for highly sensitive detection of a cancer biomarker in serum and tissue lysates. Greatly amplified sensitivity was attained by using bioconjugates featuring horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labels and secondary antibodies (Ab(2)) linked to carbon nanotubes (CNT) at high HRP/Ab(2) ratio. This approach provided a detection limit of 4 pg mL(-)(1) (100 amol mL(-)(1)), for prostate specific antigen (PSA) in 10 microL of undiluted calf serum, a mass detection limit of 40 fg. Accurate detection of PSA in human serum samples was demonstrated by comparison to standard ELISA assays. PSA was quantitatively measured in prostate tissue samples for which PSA could not be differentiated by the gold standard immunohistochemical staining method. These easily fabricated SWNT immunosensors show excellent promise for clinical screening of cancer biomarkers and point-of-care diagnostics.     

A chloroacetate based ratiometric fluorescent probe for cysteine detection in biosystems

The specific detection of cysteine (Cys) over homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH) and other amino acids is of great significance for studying its biological functions as well as for the diagnosis of related diseases. Chloroacetyl group was often used as a reaction site for cysteine fluorescent probes for its sensitivity and selectivity. However, high background fluorescence and low stability are common problems encountered by such probes. Here, four chloroacetyl group based fluorescent probes (C1, C2, C3, and H4) was synthesized for a comparative study. We found that the inefficient quenching ability of chloroacetyl group turned into an advantage when connected with a ratiometric fluorophore. With the modification of chloroacetyl group, probe H4 displayed excellent ratiometric property and great selectivity for Cys, the stability was also improved. Additionally, the probe was successfully applied for quantitative detection of Cys in fetal bovine serum and real-time imaging in living HeLa cells with low toxicity.     

Nucleic acid-based fluorescent probes and their analytical potential

It is well known that nucleic acids play an essential role in living organisms because they store and transmit genetic information and use that information to direct the synthesis of proteins. However, less is known about the ability of nucleic acids to bind specific ligands and the application of oligonucleotides as molecular probes or biosensors. Oligonucleotide probes are single-stranded nucleic acid fragments that can be tailored to have high specificity and affinity for different targets including nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, and ions. One can divide oligonucleotide-based probes into two main categories: hybridization probes that are based on the formation of complementary base-pairs, and aptamer probes that exploit selective recognition of nonnucleic acid analytes and may be compared with immunosensors. Design and construction of hybridization and aptamer probes are similar. Typically, oligonucleotide (DNA, RNA) with predefined base sequence and length is modified by covalent attachment of reporter groups (one or more fluorophores in fluorescence-based probes). The fluorescent labels act as transducers that transform biorecognition (hybridization, ligand binding) into a fluorescence signal. Fluorescent labels have several advantages, for example high sensitivity and multiple transduction approaches (fluorescence quenching or enhancement, fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and excimer-monomer light switching). These multiple signaling options combined with the design flexibility of the recognition element (DNA, RNA, PNA, LNA) and various labeling strategies contribute to development of numerous selective and sensitive bioassays. This review covers fundamentals of the design and engineering of oligonucleotide probes, describes typical construction approaches, and discusses examples of probes used both in hybridization studies and in aptamer-based assays.     

新型水溶性咪唑基硅量子点制备及用于果蔬中痕量铜的荧光检测

硅量子点因其极佳的亲生物性和光学性能成为纳米材料新宠,但传统硅量子点水溶性差限制了它的广泛应用。本实验以三甲基硅咪唑为硅前驱体采用水热法制备水溶性咪唑基硅量子点。相对于硼氢化钠、抗坏血酸、牛血清蛋白、半胱氨酸和柠檬酸,柠檬酸钠作为还原剂和稳定剂制得的硅量子点荧光发射最强。合成反应于220℃下可在2 h内完成,所制备的硅量子点水溶性好,平均粒径为2.6 nm,红外分析证实其表面存在游离的咪唑基。研究表明,硅量子点能与铜离子相互作用导致荧光强度的明显下降。考察不同温度下Cu2+对硅量子点荧光的猝灭行为,发现荧光猝灭程度随温度升高而增大。这说明荧光下降属于静态猝灭,即Cu2+与硅量子点上的咪唑基作用形成稳定配合物。此外,共振光散射分析还揭示荧光猝灭过程伴随着粒子团聚。基于硅量子点的荧光猝灭行为,建立了痕量铜的荧光检测方法。当Cu2+浓度在0.04~2400μmol/L之间,硅量子点的荧光强度随Cu2+浓度的增加而线性下降,检出限(S/N=3)达1.29×10-8 mol/L。本方法具有高的灵敏度、选择性和重现性,已应用于果蔬中痕量铜的荧光检测。     

Fluorescence ELISA for sensitive detection of ochratoxin A based on glucose oxidase-mediated fluorescence quenching of CdTe QDs

The present study described a novel fluorescence enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used to detect ochratoxin A (OTA) by using the glucose oxidase (GOx)-mediated fluorescence quenching of mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdTe quantum dots (MPA-QDs), in which GOx was used as an alternative to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the oxidization of glucose into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and gluconic acid. The MPA-QDs were used as a fluorescent signal output, whose fluorescence variation was extremely sensitive to the presence of H₂O₂ or hydrogen ions in the solution. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed fluorescence ELISA demonstrated a good linear detection of OTA in corn extract from 2.4 pg mL⁻¹ to 625 pg mL⁻¹ with a limit of detection of 2.2 pg mL⁻¹, which was approximately 15-fold lower than that of conventional HRP-based ELISA. Our developed fluorescence immunoassay was also similar to HRP-based ELISA in terms of selectivity, accuracy, and reproducibility. In summary, this study was the first to use the GOx-mediated fluorescence quenching of QDs in immunoassay to detect OTA, offering a new possibility for the analysis of other mycotoxins and biomolecules.     

基于核酸外切酶Ⅲ诱导的双重信号放大与MoS2纳米片荧光碎灭性质的核酸检测方法

将核酸外切酶Ⅲ诱导的双重信号放大技术与MoS2纳米片的荧光猝灭性质结合,构建了一种高灵敏高选择性的DNA检测方法.首先设计两条末端修饰荧光基团的探针核酸(HP1和HP2).由于两条探针核酸具有3'粘性末端,使其不会被核酸外切酶Ⅲ降解,因而被吸附于MoS2纳米片而猝灭其荧光.当目标DNA存在时,会促使核酸外切酶Ⅲ启动双重信号放大反应,并将探针核酸降解成大量的不能吸附于MoS2纳米片表面的荧光碎片.在优化条件下,目标DNA浓度在0.5~6.0 pmol/L范围内与荧光信号变化呈良好的线性关系,检出限为0.28 pmol/L.与单重信号放大技术相比,本方法极大改善了分析灵敏度和检出限,且具有良好的单碱基错配区分能力.     

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescence "turn-on" probe for Ag+ in aqueous solution and live cells

A naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe, NPQ, that contains a novel receptor was successfully developed. NPQ exhibited "turn-on" fluorescence and excellent selectivity toward Ag(+) in the presence of various other metal ions in aqueous solution. A series of control compounds were designed and synthesized in order to explore the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching mechanism of NPQ and binding mode of NPQ with Ag(+). Moreover, with the NPQ-Ag(+) complex, I(-) was easily selectively recognized by a marked fluorescence quenching. The live cell imaging experiments demonstrate that NPQ can be used as a fluorescent probe for monitoring Ag(+) in living cells.     

Fluorescent gold clusters as nanosensors for copper ions in live cells

This paper reports the use of fluorescent gold nanoclusters synthesized using bovine serum albumin (Au-BSA) for the sensing of copper ions in live cells. The fluorescence of the clusters was found to be quenched by Cu(2+) enabling its detection in cells. The selectivity of the nanosensor was demonstrated in the presence of several cations excluding Hg(2+). We did not study the effect of Hg(2+) since it was reported earlier. The present study suggests that Cu(2+) induced fluorescence quenching is due to its binding to BSA rather than the fluorescence quenching by metal-metal interaction as in the case of Hg(2+). The Au-BSA showed excellent selectivity to Cu(2+) at various pH conditions. The 'turn off' of fluorescence can be retrieved by a Cu(2+) chelator glycine. Our results showed that gold clusters can be used as a 'turn off' sensor for copper and a 'turn on' sensor for glycine. Under the experimental conditions, the probe showed a response for Cu(2+) over a range of 100 μM to 5 mM with a detection limit of 50 μM. The role of Cu(2+) in the misfolding and disassembly of Prion Protein (PrP) leading to various maladies is well ascertained. The methodology we reported here seems to be useful in supplementing other techniques in predicting disease conditions involving Cu(2+).     

基于铕配合物的荧光分子印迹的制备及其选择性检测痕量2,4,6-三氯苯酚

设计并制备了用于检测2,4,6-三氯苯酚的荧光分子印迹。由于铕配合物对模板分子的荧光淬灭作用,可用于荧光检测工具。荧光分子印迹在模板分子浓度范围0~70 nmol·L~(-1)内具有良好的荧光线性响应,相关系数为0.996 28。荧光分子印迹展现出了良好的灵敏度,其最低检出限为3.12 nmol·L~(-1)。荧光分子印迹具有较好的热稳定性,同时选择性检测实验证明荧光分子印迹对2,4,6-三氯苯酚具有良好的特异选择性。实验结果说明荧光分子印迹可用于选择性荧光检测低浓度氯酚类物质。     

Tracking immunoglobulin variable-gene expression in HIV infection

B-cell superantigens (SAgs) interact with normal human nonimmune immunoglobulins (Igs) independently of the light-chain isotype, and activate a large proportion of the B-cell repertoire. Recently, the major envelope protein of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), gp120, was found to exhibit SAg-like properties for B cells with potential pathological consequences for the infected host, including accelerated apoptosis and progressive loss of B cells. This unconventional mode of interaction contrasts with its binding to immunization-induced antibodies, which requires the tertiary structure of the heavy- and light-chain variable regions. Examining the temporal development of V(H)3+ antibodies in HIV-1-infected subjects over a 7-yr period showed that V(H)3+ antibodies specific for the gp120 SAg-binding site are deficient. Quantification of V(H)3+ antibodies, which impart protective responses to infectious agents, in serum samples from HIV-seropositive slow progressors and from patients who progressed to AIDS-related manifestations reveals that paucity in V(H)3+ antibodies is a marker of rapid clinical decline. Remarkably, anti-gp160 V(H)3+ antibodies show a gradual decrease in progressors and vary with time, depending on the viral load. Thus, V(H)3+ antibodies could play an important role in protection, and their underexpression may accelerate disease progression. Investigation of the structural basis of the interaction between human Igs and gp120 shows that the viral gp120 SAg can interact only with a subset of human V(H)3+ Igs. A number of amino acid-positions present primarily in the first and third framework regions of the Ig heavy-chain variable regions correlate with gp120 binding. These residues partially overlap with the Staphylococcus aureus protein A-binding site for V(H)3+ Igs. Overall, these interactions could represent a novel mechanism of humoral deficiency resulting from the capacity of a viral SAg to impact an important subset of the B-cell repertoire and to induce B-cell death by apoptosis.     

荧光法检测重金属铅离子的研究进展北大核心CSCD

铅作为一种重金属,广泛应用于工业生产,对环境和人体健康具有显著影响。因此,开发铅离子检测技术是一项具有重要意义的研究内容。荧光法与传统重金属离子检测方法相比,具有灵敏度高、选择性好等优点,故荧光法常用于水体等实际样品中重金属离子的定性或定量分析。本文围绕近几年报道的基于荧光法检测铅离子的研究现状进行介绍,包括荧光染料、荧光纳米材料、荧光生物材料包括荧光蛋白等3种检测材料,并在此基础上提出荧光法检测铅离子领域面临的主要挑战,对未来的研究趋势进行了展望。     

Selective sensing of Fe3+ based on fluorescence quenching by 2,6-bis(benzoxazolyl)pyridine with beta-cyclodextrin in neutral aqueous solution

A selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor (BBOZP-CD) for Fe(3+) was composed of water-soluble beta-cyclodextrins and 2,6-bis(benzoxazolyl)pyridine which was synthesized through the reaction of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and o-aminophenol catalyzed by polyphosphoric acid under microwave irradiation. The chemosensor BBOZP-CD for metal ions were carefully investigated by fluorescent quenching in present of metal ions. The result showed BBOZP-CD chemosensor was remarkable fluorescence quenching and a highly selectivity and sensitivity for Fe(3+) in neutral aqueous solution, and the other common metal ions did not notably disturb the detection of Fe(3+). Additionally, the effect of pH to the chemosensor for Fe(3+) was also studied. The result indicated the respond signals of BBOZP-CD to Fe(3+) was stable and hardly influenced while the pH value was greater than 3.6.     

One-step synthesis of fluorescein modified nano-carbon for Pd(II) detection via fluorescence quenching

Carbon black (CB) nanoparticles modified with fluorescein, a highly fluorescent molecule, were prepared using a facile and efficient methodology. Simply stirring CB in aqueous solution containing fluorescein resulted in the strong physisorption of fluorescein onto the CB surface. The resulting Fluorescein/CB was then characterised by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The optimum experimental conditions for fluorescence of Fluorescein/CB viz. fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths, O(2) removal and the amount of Fluorescein/CB used, were investigated. The Fluorescein/CB was used as a fluorescent probe for the sensitive detection of Pd(II) in water, based on fluorescence quenching. The results demonstrated that the fluorescence intensity of Fluorescein/CB decreased with increasing Pd(II) concentration, and the fluorescence quenching process could be described by the Stern-Volmer equation. The limit of detection (LOD) for the fluorescence quenching of Fluorescein/CB by Pd(II) in aqueous solution was found to be 1.07 μM (based on 3σ). Last, approaches were studied for the removal of Fe(III) which interferes with the fluorescence quenching of Fluorescein/CB. Complexation of Fe(III) with salicylic acid was used to enhance and control the selectivity of Fluorescein/CB sensor towards Pd(II) in the presence of Fe(III).     

Fluorescent signal amplification of carbocyanine dyes using engineered viral nanoparticles

We report enhancement in the fluorescent signal of the carbocyanine dye Cy5 by using an engineered virus as a scaffold to attach >40 Cy5 reporter molecules at fixed locations on the viral capsid. Although cyanine dye loading is often accompanied by fluorescence quenching, our results demonstrate that organized spatial distribution of Cy5 reporter molecules on the capsid obviates this commonly encountered problem. In addition, we observe energy transfer from the virus to adducted dye molecules, resulting in a highly fluorescent viral nanoparticle. We have used this enhanced fluorescence for the detection of DNA-DNA hybridization. When compared with the most often used detection methods in a microarray-based genotyping assay for Vibrio cholerae O139, these viral nanoparticles markedly increased assay sensitivity, thus demonstrating their applicability for existing DNA microarray protocols.