Electrochemical Immunosensors for the Rapid Screening of Cystic Fibrosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Recent advances in proteomic-based diagnostics of cystic fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease characterized by thick and sticky mucus accumulation, which may harm numerous internal organs. Various variables such as gene modifiers, environmental factors, age of diagnosis, and CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations influence phenotypic disease diversity. Biomarkers that are based on genomic information may not accurately represent the underlying mechanism of the disease as well as its lethal complications. Therefore, recent advancements in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics may provide deep insights into CF mechanisms and cellular functions by examining alterations in the protein expression patterns from various samples of individuals with CF.

AREAS COVERED

We present current developments in MS-based proteomics, its application, and findings in CF. In addition, the future roles of proteomics in finding diagnostic and prognostic novel biomarkers.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite significant advances in MS-based proteomics, extensive research in a large cohort for identifying and validating diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and therapeutic biomarkers for CF disease is highly needed.

A review of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for bioanalytical sensors

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. This review uses a systematic approach to examine how electrodes are tailored for use in EIS-based applications, describing the chemistries involved in sensor design, and discusses trends in the use of bio-based and non-bio-based electrodes. The review finds that immunosensors are the most prevalent sensor strategy that employs EIS as a quantification technique for target species. The review also finds that bio-based electrodes, though capable of detecting small molecules, are most applicable for the detection of complex molecules. Non-bio-based sensors are more often employed for simpler molecules and less often have applications for complex systems. We surmise that EIS has advanced in terms of electrode designs since our last review on the subject, although there are still inconsistencies in terms of equivalent circuit modelling for some sensor types. Removal of ambiguity from equivalent circuit models may help advance EIS as a choice detection method, allowing for lower limits of detection than traditional electrochemical methods such as voltammetry or amperometry.

Lipidome Alterations Induced by Cystic Fibrosis, CFTR Mutation, and Lung Function

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic pathology characterized by abnormal accumulation of mucus in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts, caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. Although the classical presentation of the condition is well known, there is still a need for a better characterization of metabolic alterations related to cystic fibrosis and different genotypic mutations. We employed untargeted, comprehensive lipidomics of blood serum samples to investigate alterations in the lipid metabolism related to the pathology, mutation classes, and lung function decline. Six unique biomarker candidates were able to independently differentiate diseased individuals from healthy controls with excellent performance. Cystic fibrosis patients showed dyslipidemia for most lipid subclasses, with significantly elevated odd-chain and polyunsaturated fatty acyl lipids. Phosphatidic acids and diacylglycerols were particularly affected by different genotypic mutation classes. We selected a biomarker panel composed of four lipids, including two ceramides, one sphingomyelin, and one fatty acid, which correctly classified all validation samples from classes III and IV. A biomarker panel of five oxidized lipids was further selected to differentiate patients with reduced lung function, measured as predicted FEV1%. Our results indicate that cystic fibrosis is deeply related to lipid metabolism and provide new clues for the investigation of the disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.