Disposable electrochemical immunosensor by using carbon sphere/gold nanoparticle composites as labels for signal amplification

This work designed a simple, sensitive, and low-cost immunosensor for the detection of protein marker by using a carbon sphere/gold nanoparticle (CNS/AuNP) composite as an electrochemical label. The nanoscale carbon spheres, prepared with a hydrothermal method by using glucose as raw material, were used to load AuNPs for labeling antibody by electrostatic interaction, which provided a feasible pathway for electron transfer due to the remarkable conductivity. The disposable immunosensor was constructed by coating a polyethylene glycol (PEG) film on a screen-printed carbon-working electrode and then immobilizing capture antibody on the film. With a sandwich-type immunoassay format, the analyte and then the CNS/AuNP-labeled antibody were successively bound to the immunosensor. The bound AuNPs were finally electro-oxidized in 0.1 M HCl to produce AuCl(4)(-) for differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) detection. The high-loading capability of AuNPs on CNS for the sandwich-type immunorecognition led to obvious signal amplification. By using human immunoglobulin?G (IgG) as model target, the DPV signal of AuNPs after electro-oxidized at optimal potential of +1.40?V for 40?s showed a wide linear dependence on the logarithm of target concentration ranging from 10?pg mL(-1) to 10?ng mL(-1). The detection limit was around 9?pg mL(-1). The immunosensor showed excellent analytical performance with cost effectivity, good fabrication reproducibility, and acceptable precision and accuracy, providing significant potential application in clinical analysis.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence immunosensor using PtAg@carbon nanocrystals composites as labels and carbon nanotubes-chitosan/gold nanoparticles as enhancer

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was developed using PtAg@carbon nanocrystals (CNCs) as excellent labels based on carbon nanotubes-chitosan/AuNPs (CNT-CHIT/AuNPs) composite modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) for prostate protein antigen (PSA) detection. The CNCs were obtained simply by electro-oxidation of graphite with abundant carboxyl groups at their surfaces. The PtAg bimetallic nanocomposites with hierarchically hollow structures were fabricated through simple replacement reaction using dealloyed nanoporous silver (NPS) as both a template and reducing agent. Structure characterization was obtained by means of transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The PtAg@CNCs composites exhibit a 6 times higher ECL intensity than the pure CNCs labeled anti-PSA. The as-prepared CNT-CHIT/AuNPs composite can attach more antibody than pure CNTs. Due to the dual-amplification techniques, the concentrations of PSA were obtained in the range from 1 pg mL(-1) to 50 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.6 pg mL(-1). Finally, the as-proposed ECL immunosensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, specificity and stability and could become a promising technique for tumor marker detection.     

Sandwich-type electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol labeling and gold nanoparticle amplification

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sandwich-type immunosensor for human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) on a gold nanoparticle modified electrode was developed by using N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI) labeling. The primary antibody, goat-anti-human IgG was first immobilized on a gold nanoparticle modified electrode, then the antigen (human IgG) and the ABEI-labeled second antibody was conjugated successively to form a sandwich-type immunocomplex. ECL was carried out with a double-step potential in carbonate buffer solution (CBS) containing 1.5 mM H₂O₂. The ECL intensity increased linearly with the concentration of hIgG over the range 5.0-100 ng/mL. The limit of detection was 1.68 ng/mL (S/N = 3). The relative standard deviation was 3.79% at 60 ng/mL (n = 9). The present immunosensor is simple and sensitive. It has been successfully applied to the detection of hIgG in human serums.     

Sandwich-type electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on Ru-silica@Au composite nanoparticles labeled anti-AFP

A simple and sensitive sandwich-type electrochemiluminescence immunosensor for α-1-fetoprotein (AFP) on a gold nanoparticles (nano-Au) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed by using Ru-silica (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-doped silica) doped Au (Ru-silica@Au) composite as labels. The primary antibody, anti-AFP was first immobilized on the gold nanoparticles modified electrode due to the covalent conjugation, then the antigen and the Ru-silica@Au composite nanoparticles labeled secondary antibody was conjugated successively to form a sandwich-type immunocomplex through the specific interaction. The surfaces of Ru-silica nanoparticles were modified via the assemble of Au nanoparticles. The prepared Ru-silica@Au composite nanoparticles own the large surface area, good biocompatibility and highly effective electrochemiluminescence properties. The morphologies of the Ru-silica@Au composite nanoparticles were investigated by using transmission electronic microscope (TEM). The Ru-silica@Au composite nanoparticles labeled anti-AFP/AFP/bovine serum albumin (BSA)/anti-AFP/nano-Au modified GCE electrode was evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). The immunosensor performed high sensitivity and wide liner for detection AFP in the range of 0.05-50 ng/mL and the limit detection was 0.03 ng/mL (defined as S/N = 3).     

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

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

Ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor of carcinoembryonic antigen based on gold-label silver-stain signal amplification

A novel gold-label silver-stain electrochemical immunosensor based on polythionine-gold nanoparticles (PTh-Au NPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as a platform and secondary antibody labeled Au NPs (Ab₂-Au NPs) as immumoprobe for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection. The sandwich-type biosensor adopted anodic stripping voltammetry to detect silver stripping signal when the Ab₂-Au NPs of the formed immunocomplexes were stained with silver.     

Electrochemical immunosensor based on nanoporpus gold loading thionine for carcinoembryonic antigen

Nanoporous gold (NPG) has recently received considerable attention in analytical electrochemistry because of its good conductivity and large specific surface area. A facile layer-by-layer assembly technique fabricated NPG was used to construct an electrochemical immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). NPG was fabricated on glassy carbon (GC) electrode by alternatively assembling gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol as a cross-linker, and then AgNPs were dissolved with HNO₃. The thionine was absorbed into the NPG and then gold nanostructure was electrodeposited on the surface through the electrochemical reduction of gold chloride tetrahydrate (HAuCl₄). The anti-CEA was directly adsorbed on gold nanostructure fixed on the GC electrode. The linear range of the immunosensor was from 10 pg mL⁻¹ to 100 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3 pg mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The proposed immunosensor has high sensitivity, wide linear range, low detection limit, and good selectivity. The present method could be widely applied to construct other immunosensors.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical immunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen based on three-dimensional macroporous gold nanoparticles/graphene composite platform and multienzyme functionalized nanoporous silver label

Three-dimensional macroporous gold nanoparticles/graphene composites (3D-AuNPs/GN) were synthesized through a simple two-step process, and were used to modify working electrode sensing platform, based on which a facile electrochemical immunoassay for sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human serum was developed. In the proposed 3D-AuNPs/GN, AuNPs were distributed not just on the surface, but also on the inside of graphene. And this distribution property increased the area of sensing surface, resulting in capturing more primary antibodies as well as improving the electronic transmission rate. In the presence of CEA, a sandwich-type immune composite was formed on the sensing platform, and the horseradish peroxidase-labeled anti-CEA antibody (HRP-Ab₂)/thionine/nanoporous silver (HRP-Ab₂/TH/NPS) signal label was captured. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited excellent analytical performance: the detection range of CEA is from 0.001 to 10 ng mL⁻¹ with low detection limit of 0.35 pg mL⁻¹ and low limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.85 pg mL⁻¹. The electrochemical immunosensor showed good precision, acceptable stability and reproducibility, and could be used for the detection of CEA in real samples. The proposed method provides a promising platform of clinical immunoassay for other biomolecules     

A novel lable-free electrochemical immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen based on gold nanoparticles-thionine-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode

In this paper, gold nanoparticle-thionine-reduced graphene oxide (GNP-THi-GR) nanocomposites were prepared to design a label-free immunosensor for the sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The nanocomposites with good biocompatibility, excellent redox electrochemical activity and large surface area were coated onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface and then CEA antibody (anti-CEA) was immobilized on the electrode to construct the immunosensor. The morphologies and electrochemistry of the formed nanocomposites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies demonstrated that the formation of antibody-antigen complexes decreased the peak current of THi in the GNP-THi-GR nanocomposites. The decreased currents were proportional to the CEA concentration in the range of 10-500 pg/mL with a detection limit of 4 pg/mL. The proposed method was simple, fast and inexpensive for the determination of CEA at very low levels.     

Magnetic electrochemiluminescent Fe3O4/CdSe-CdS nanoparticle/polyelectrolyte nanocomposite for highly efficient immunosensing of a cancer biomarker

Magnetic electrochemiluminescent Fe₃O₄/CdSe–CdS nanoparticle/polyelectrolyte nanostructures have been synthesized and used to fabricate an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). CEA is a protein used as a biomarker for several cancers; particularly, to monitor response to treatment in colon and rectal cancer patients. The nanocomposites can be easily separated and firmly attached to an electrode owing to their excellent magnetic properties. This represents a promising advantage for bioassay applications. More importantly, the nanostructures exhibit intense and stable ECL emissions in neutral solution, which makes them ideal for ECL immunosensing. The 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) polyelectrolyte shell on the nanostructure surface not only enhances the intensity and stability of the ECL signal, but also acts as a crosslinker for immunosensor fabrication. A CEA antibody immobilized onto a nanocomposite/APS/electrode with gold nanoparticles comprises the ECL immunosensor. The principle of ECL detection for CEA is based on a change in steric hindrance after immunoreaction, which leads to a decrease in ECL intensity. A wide detection range (0.064 pg ml^?1–10 ng ml^?1) and low detection limit (0.032 pg ml^?1) are achieved. The immunosensor is highly sensitive and selective, and exhibits excellent stability and good reproducibility. It thus has great potential for clinical protein detection. In particular, this approach uses a novel class of bifunctional nanocomposites that display both intense ECL and excellent magnetism, which renders them suitable for a large range of bioassay applications.     

An Ultra-sensitive Electrochemiluminescent Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Using a Hollowed-out Electrode

Ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarkers has attracted considerable attention recently in academic research and clinic diagnostics. Here, we use a hollowed-out carbon nanotube sponge (CNTSP) electrode to fabricate an immunosensor to realize the sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CDs) are combined with antibody that can specially recognize CEA and used as the electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes in this work. The hollowed-out and permeable CNTSP facilitates chemical species exchange on the surface of electrode, offering an enhanced ECL signal. The resulting ECL immunosensor enables the determination of CEA concentration to be in a wide linear range from 0.005 to 50 pg mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.4 fg mL⁻¹. Furthermore, with good stability, acceptable precision and reproducibility, the proposed ECL assay strategy offers a wide application potential in clinical analysis.     

基于AuNPs/PDDA-GO纳米复合物的电化学免疫传感器的构建及对SirT1蛋白的检测

基于AuNPs/PDDA-GO纳米复合物制备了一种新型电化学免疫传感器, 并将其用于SirT1的检测. 首先, 在电极表面修饰复合材料AuNPs/PDDA-GO, 然后将目标蛋白SirT1固定到修饰了AuNPs/PDDA-GO的电极表面, 再通过特异性免疫反应结合一抗(Ab₁)和辣根过氧化酶标记的二抗分子(HRP-Ab₂), 最后用示差脉冲伏安法检测电流信号, 实现了对SirT1蛋白水平的测定. 在优化的实验条件下, SirT1蛋白的浓度在0.1~100 ng/mL范围内与响应电流呈良好线性关系, 检出限为0.029 ng/mL.     

Potential controlling highly-efficient catalysis of wheat-like silver particles for electrochemiluminescence immunosensor labeled by nano-Pt@Ru and multi-sites biotin/streptavidin affinity

The potential controlling silver catalysis for Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal at a special potential -0.4～1.25 V was newly developed as the new ECL signal amplification strategy for ultrasensitive protein detection. Firstly, the wheat-like deposited silver (DpAg) particles were modified on the bare glass carbon electrode (GCE) surface by cyclic voltammetry deposition to capture the primary antibodies and then bind the antigen analytes. Secondly, as a sandwich immunoreaction format, the secondary antibodies conjugated with the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-doped Pt (Pt@Ru) nanoparticles by the multi-sites biotin/streptavidin (SA) affinity can be captured onto the electrode surface to generate ECL signal. In the proposed Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL system without any co-reactant, the detected ECL signal was amplified due to following multiple amplification strategies: (1) the ECL catalysis for Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was performed by electro-inducing the DpAg particles to generate Ag(+) ion and controlled by the special potential. The catalyzer Ag(+) was produced near the electrode surface and reproduced by cyclic potential scan, which improved the catalytic efficiency. (2) The amount of the ECL signal probes linked to secondary antibodies were amplified by the adsorption of Pt nanoparticles and the multiple sites bridge linkage of biotin/SA. These new multiple signal amplification strategies made the proposed ECL immunosensor achieve ultrasensitive detection for model protein human IgG with a detection limit down to 3 pg mL(-1), which can be further extended to the detection of disease biomarkers.     

基于脂质体信号增强癌胚抗原电化学免疫传感器的研究

研究了在玻碳电极利用巯基乙胺固定纳米金、然后纳米金固载癌胚抗体(Ab1),采用脂质体包裹电子媒介体硫堇,脂质体周围联接标记辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)的癌胚抗体(Ab2)对其传感器进行信号放大,通过循环伏安法考察了该免疫传感器的电化学特性,在优化的实验条件下,该免疫传感器的峰电流随着检测溶液中癌胚抗原(CEA)浓度的增大而增大,并在0.05～200 ng/mL CEA范围内呈现线性关系,回归方程为:Δi=0.20+0.24ρ(ng/mL);检测限为:18pg/mL(R=0.9947)。该免疫传感器可用于临床上对CEA的检测。     

Label-free sandwich type of immunosensor for hepatitis C virus core antigen based on the use of gold nanoparticles on a nanostructured metal oxide surface

We report on the construction of a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for detecting the core antigen of the hepatitis C virus (HCV core antigen). A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a nanocomposite made from gold nanoparticles, zirconia nanoparticles and chitosan, and prepared by in situ reduction. The zirconia nanoparticles were first dispersed in chitosan solution, and then AuNPs were prepared in situ on the ZrO₂-chitosan composite. In parallel, a nanocomposite was synthesized from AuNPs, silica nanoparticles and chitosan, and conjugated to a secondary antibody. The properties of the resulting nanocomposites were investigated by UV-visible photometry and transmission electron microscopy, and the stepwise assembly process was characterized by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An sandwich type of immunosensor was developed which displays high sensitivity to the HCV core antigen in the concentration range between 2 and 512?ng?mL^?1, with a detection limit of 0.17?ng?mL^?1 (at S/N?=?3). This immunosensor provides an alternative approach towards the diagnosis of HCV.

Homogenous electrogenerated chemiluminescence immunoassay for human immunoglobulin G using N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol as luminescence label at gold nanoparticles modified paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode

A homogeneous electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay for human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) has been developed using a N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI) as luminescence label at gold nanoparticles modified paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE). ECL emission was electrochemically generated from the ABEI-labeled anti-hIgG antibody and markedly increased in the presence of hIgG antigen due to forming a more rigid structure of the ABEI moiety. The concentration of hIgG antigen was determined by the increase of ECL intensity at a gold nanoparticles modified PIGE. It was found that the ECL intensity of ABEI in presence of hydrogen peroxide was dramatically enhanced at gold nanoparticles modified PIGE in neutral aqueous solution and the detection limit of ABEI was 2 x 10(-14)mol/L (S/N=3). The integral ECL intensity was linearly related to the concentration of hIgG antigen from 3.0 x 10(-11) to 1.0 x 10(-9)g/mL with a detection limit of 1 x 10(-11)g/mL (S/N=3). The relative standard deviation was 3.1% at 1.0 x 10(-10)g/mL (n=11). This work demonstrates that the enhancement of the sensitivity of ECL and ECL immunoassay at a nanoparticles modified electrode is a promising strategy.     

Sensitive electrochemical immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen with signal dual-amplification using glucose oxidase and an artificial catalase

A new dual-amplification strategy of electrochemical signal based on the catalytic recycling of the product was developed for the antigen-antibody interaction by glucose oxidase (GOD)- conjugated gold-silver hollow microspheres (AuAgHSs) coupled with an artificial catalase, Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB), on a graphene-based immunosensing platform. The first signal amplification introduced in this study was based on the labeled GOD on the AuAgHSs toward the catalytic oxidation of glucose. The generated H(2)O(2) was catalytically reduced by the immobilized PB on the graphene nanosheets with the second amplification. With a sandwich-type immunoassay format, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was monitored as a model analyte by using the synthesized AuAgHSs as labels in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer containing 10mM glucose. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited a wide dynamic range of 0.005-50 ng mL(-1) with a low detection limit (LOD) of 1.0 pg mL(-1) CEA (at 3σ). Both the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were lower than 10%. The specificity and stability of the immunosensor were acceptable. In addition, the assay was evaluated for clinical serum specimens, and received a good correlation with those obtained by the referenced electrochemiluminescent (ECL).     

基于纳米金与碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖纳米复合物固定癌胚抗原免疫传感器的研究

采用纳米金(nano-Au)、多壁碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖的纳米复合物(MWNT-Pt-CS)及电子媒介体硫堇(Th)固载抗体制得高灵敏癌胚抗原免疫传感器．首先, 于壳聚糖溶液中用NaBH4还原H2PtCl6, 并将多壁碳纳米管分散于其中制得碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖纳米复合物, 并将其滴涂在玻碳电极上成膜; 然后, 吸附电子媒介体硫堇制得硫堇/碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖(Th/MWNT-Pt-CS)修饰电极．利用壳聚糖和硫堇分子中大量的氨基固定纳米金并吸附癌胚抗体(anti-CEA); 最后, 用辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)封闭活性位点从而制得高灵敏电流型免疫传感器．在优化的实验条件下, 该传感器响应的峰电流值与癌胚抗原(carcinoembryonic antigen)浓度在0.5～10和10～120 ng/mL的范围内保持良好的线性关系, 检测限为0.2 ng/mL．     

Magnetic beads-based electrochemiluminescence immunosensor for determination of cancer markers using quantum dot functionalized PtRu alloys as labels

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for sensitive detection of human chorionic gonadotrophin antigen (HCG-Ag) was constructed using CdTe quantum dot functionalized nanoporous PtRu alloys (QDs@PtRu) as labels for signal amplification. In this paper, nanoporous PtRu alloy was employed as the carrier for immobilization of CdTe QDs and antibodies. Primary monoclonal antibody to alfa-HCG antigen (McAb(1)) was immobilized onto the surface of chitosan coated Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)/CS MNPs) by glutaraldehyde (GA) as coupling agent. Then McAb(1) could be easily separated and assembled on the surface of indium tin oxide glass (ITO) owing to their excellent magnetic properties with external magnetic forces holding the MNPs. Due to signal amplification from the high loading of CdTe QDs, 4.67-fold enhancements in ECL signal for HCG-Ag detection was achieved compared to the unamplified method (single QDs as labels). Under optimal conditions, a wide detection range (0.005~50 ng mL(-1)) and low detection limit (0.8 pg mL(-1)) were achieved through the sandwich-type immunosensor. The novel immunosensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity, excellent stability, and good reproducibility, and thus has great potential for clinical detection of HCG-Ag. In particular, this approach presents a novel class of combining bifunctional nanomaterials with preferable ECL properties and excellent magnetism, which suggests considerable potential in a wide range of applications for bioassays.     

Electrochemical immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen based on antigen immobilization in gold nanoparticles modified chitosan membrane.

A disposable electrochemical immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was proposed based on the antigen immobilized in a colloidal gold nanoparticles modified chitosan membrane on the surface of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The different membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope and electrochemical methods. Based on a competitive immunoassay format, the immobilized antigen of the immunosensor was incubated with a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled antibody and sample CEA antigen, and the formed immunoconjugate in the immunosensor was detected by an o-phenylenediamine-H(2)O(2)-HRP electrochemical system. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the electrocatalytic current decreased linearly with the competitive mechanism. CEA could be determined in the linear range from 2.0 to 20 ng/ml with a detection limit of 1.0 ng/ml. The prepared CEA immunosensor is not only economic due to the low-cost ITO electrode obtained from industrial mass production, but is also capable with good stability and reproducibility for batch fabrication.