Dynamic evaluation of cell-secreted interferon gamma in response to drug stimulation via a sensitive electro-chemiluminescence immunosensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with graphene oxide, polyaniline nanofibers, magnetic beads, and gold nanoparticles

Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Carbon Nanomaterials for Diagnosis of Human Respiratory Diseases

In recent years, respiratory diseases have increasingly become a global concern, largely due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This inevitably causes great attention to be given to the development of highly efficient and minimal or non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. And electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials show great potential in fulfilling the requirement, not only because of the superior performance of electrochemical analysis, but also given the excellent properties of the carbon nanomaterials. In this paper, we review the most recent advances in research, development and applications of electrochemical biosensors based on the use of carbon nanomaterials for diagnosis of human respiratory diseases in the last 10 years. We first briefly introduce the characteristics of several common human respiratory diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis and lung cancer. Then, we describe the working principles and fabrication of various electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials used for diagnosis of these respiratory diseases. Finally, we summarize the advantages, challenges, and future perspectives for the currently available electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials for detecting human respiratory diseases.

Interferon-γ detection in point of care diagnostics: Short review

Interferon (IFN)-γ is a cytokine secreted by immune cells. The elevated levels of IFN-γ are an early indicator of multiple diseases such as tuberculosis and autoimmune diseases. This short review focuses on different sensing methods based on optical, electrochemical, and mechanical principles. We explain how specific biorecognition molecules such as antibodies and aptamers are employed in the sensing methods. We also compare different surface functionalization methods and their details. Although the review gives an overview of only IFN-γ sensing, the same strategies can be applied to sensing other analytes with appropriate modifications.

COVID-19 diagnosis by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein detection in saliva using an ultrasensitive magneto-assay based on disposable electrochemical sensor

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome of Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has fueled the search for diagnostic tests aiming at the control and reduction of the viral transmission. The main technique used for diagnosing the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. However, considering the high number of cases and the underlying limitations of the RT-PCR technique, especially with regard to accessibility and cost of the test, one does not need to overemphasize the need to develop new and less expensive testing techniques that can aid the early diagnosis of the disease. With that in mind, we developed an ultrasensitive magneto-assay using magnetic beads and gold nanoparticles conjugated to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) peptide (Gln²⁴-Gln⁴²) for the capturing and detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in human saliva. The technique applied involved the use of a disposable electrochemical device containing eight screen-printed carbon electrodes which allow the simultaneous analysis of eight samples. The magneto-assay exhibited an ultralow limit of detection of 0.35 ag mL^-1 for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in saliva. The magneto-assay was tested in saliva samples from healthy and SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. In terms of efficiency, the proposed technique - which presented a sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 93.7% for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-exhibited great similarity with the RT-PCR technique. The results obtained point to the application potential of this simple, low-cost magneto-assay for saliva-based point-of-care COVID-19 diagnosis.

COVID-19 diagnosis by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein detection in saliva using an ultrasensitive magneto-assay based on disposable electrochemical sensor

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome of Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has fueled the search for diagnostic tests aiming at the control and reduction of the viral transmission. The main technique used for diagnosing the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. However, considering the high number of cases and the underlying limitations of the RT-PCR technique, especially with regard to accessibility and cost of the test, one does not need to overemphasize the need to develop new and less expensive testing techniques that can aid the early diagnosis of the disease. With that in mind, we developed an ultrasensitive magneto-assay using magnetic beads and gold nanoparticles conjugated to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) peptide (Gln²⁴-Gln⁴²) for the capturing and detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in human saliva. The technique applied involved the use of a disposable electrochemical device containing eight screen-printed carbon electrodes which allow the simultaneous analysis of eight samples. The magneto-assay exhibited an ultralow limit of detection of 0.35 ag mL^-1 for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in saliva. The magneto-assay was tested in saliva samples from healthy and SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. In terms of efficiency, the proposed technique - which presented a sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 93.7% for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-exhibited great similarity with the RT-PCR technique. The results obtained point to the application potential of this simple, low-cost magneto-assay for saliva-based point-of-care COVID-19 diagnosis.

Functionalized Graphene Platforms for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Two-dimensional nanomaterials are emerging as promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications including tissue engineering, biosensing, pathogen incapacitation, wound healing, and gene and drug delivery. Graphene, due to its high surface area, photothermal property, high loading capacity, and efficient cellular uptake, is at the forefront of these materials and plays a key role in this multidisciplinary research field. Poor water dispersibility and low functionality of graphene, however, hamper its hybridization into new nanostructures for future nanomedicine. Functionalization of graphene, either by covalent or non-covalent methods, is the most useful strategy to improve its dispersion in water and functionality as well as processability into new materials and devices. In this review, recent advances in functionalization of graphene derivatives by different (macro)molecules for future biomedical applications are reported and explained. In particular, hydrophilic functionalization of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) to improve their water dispersibility and physicochemical properties is discussed. We have focused on the anticancer drug delivery of polyfunctional graphene sheets.

A quantum dot fluorescent microsphere based immunochromatographic strip for detection of brucellosis

BACKGROUND

Brucellosis is a serious zoonosis disease that frequently causes significant economic loss in animal husbandry and threatens human health. Therefore, we established a rapid, accurate, simple and sensitive fluorescent immunochromatographic strip test (ICST) based on quantum dots (QDs) for detection the antibodies of Brucella infection animals serum.

RESULTS

The test strips were successfully prepared by quantum dot fluorescent microspheres (QDFM) as tracers, which were covalently coupled to an outer membrane protein of Brucella OMP22. The outer membrane protein OMP28 and monoclonal antibodies of OMP22 were separately dispensed onto a nitrocellulose membrane as test and quality control lines, respectively. The critical threshold for determining negative or positive through the ratio of the fluorescent signal of the test line and the control line (H_T / H_C) is 0.0492. The repeatability was excellent with an overall average CV of 8.78%. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection was 1.05 ng/mL (1:512 dilution). With regard to the detection of brucellosis in 150 clinical samples, the total coincidence rate of ICST and Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) was 97.3%, the coincidence rate of positive samples was 98.8%, the coincidence rate of negative samples was 95.3%, the sensitivity of RBPT is 1:32, and no cross reaction with the sera of other related diseases was observed.

CONCLUSION

In our present study, the QDFM has promising application for on-site screening of brucellosis owing to its high detection speed, high sensitivity, high specificity and low cost.

An amplified label-free electrochemical aptasensor of γ-interferon based on target-induced DNA strand transform of hairpin-to-linear conformation enabling simultaneous capture of redox probe and target

In this work, a novel and signal-amplified label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed and enabled efficient determination of γ-interferon (IFN-γ), based on target-induced DNA strand transform of hairpin-to-linear conformation combining with simultaneous capture of redox probe and target. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrodeposited in the matrix of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM), followed by drop-casting addition on MoS₂ nanosheets to prepare AuNPs- PAMAM/MoS₂ composites. HS-terminated hairpin-DNA aptamer of IFN-γ was conjugated with AuNPs to prepare aptamer-AuNPs-PAMAM/MoS₂ onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE), by using bovine serum albumin as the cross-linker and stabilizer. Methylene blue (MB) as a redox probe was absorbed on IFN-γ aptamer. In the presence of IFN-γ, MB electrochemical signal increased gradually. The preparation processes, mechanisms and optimal experiment conditions of aptamer- AuNPs-PAMAM/MoS₂/MB/GCE sensing platform were studied by electron microscope imaging technologies, spectral curves and electrochemical measurements. There is a well plotting linear relationship between the peak current intensities of MB and IFN-γ contents in the range of 0.01-1000 pg mL^-1, showing a low detection limit of 2 fg mL^-1. Experimental results testified that the aptasensor had highly sensitive and selective responses toward IFN-γ, over potential interferents. In real biological samples, the aptasensor of IFN-γ had superior detection recoveries, indicating its high detection performance and feasibility for practicability.

A label-free IFN-γ aptasensor based on target-triggered allosteric switching of aptamer beacon and streptavidin-inorganic hybrid composites

A label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the sensitive detection of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). To do this, a diblock dual-aptamer allosteric hairpin (DDAH) was designed, followed by conjugation with gold nanoparticles (DDAH&AuNP). The presence of target destroyed the stable hairpin structure, and then the catalytic cleavage of DNAzymes removed the IFN-γ-binding molecules, triggering the allosteric switching from inactive hairpin to active streptavidin aptamer (A-DDAH&AuNP) in homogeneous system. Moreover, streptavidin-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers decorated with graphene composites (SFG) were synthesized and used as substrates to modify glassy carbon electrodes (SFG/GCE). SFG specifically bind to the A-DDAH&AuNP to realize high-efficient readout of signals. Under the optimal conditions and by using differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV), the response peak currents increases linearly with the logarithm of the IFN-γ concentration in the range between 0.1 pg mL^-1 and 500 ng/mL. The detection limit is as low as 19 fg mL^-1. The aptasensor also has excellent electrochemical performances, which exhibits broad application prospects in biometric analysis.

Recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials: properties, toxicity and applications in chemistry, biology and medicine

This review (with 239 refs.) summarizes the progress that has been made in applications of graphene-based nanomaterials (such as plain graphene, graphene oxides, doped graphene oxides, graphene quantums dots) in biosensing, imaging, drug delivery and diagnosis. Following an introduction into the field, a first large section covers the toxicity of graphene and its derivatives (with subsections on bacterial toxicity and tissue toxicity). The use of graphene-based nanomaterials in sensors is reviewed next, with subsections on electrochemical, FET-based, fluorescent, chemiluminescent and colorimetric sensors and probes. The large field of imaging is treated next, with subchapters on optical, PET-based, and magnetic resonance based methods. A concluding section summarizes the current status, addresses current challenges, and gives an outlook on potential future trends. Graphical Abstract Schematic presentation of the potential applications of graphene-based materials in life science and biomedicine, emphatically reflected in some vital areas such as DNA analysis, biological monitoring, drug delivery, in vitro labelling, in vivo imaging, tumor target, etc.

Magnetic nanoparticles for smart electrochemical immunoassays: a review on recent developments

This review (with 129 refs) summarizes the progress in electrochemical immunoassays combined with magnetic particles that was made in the past 5 years. The specifity of antibodies linked to electrochemical transduction (by amperometry, voltammetry, impedimetry or electrochemiluminescence) gains further attractive features by introducing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). This enables fairly easy preconcentration of analytes, minimizes matrix effects, and introduces an appropriate label. Following an introduction into the fundamentals of electrochemical immunoassays and on nanomaterials for respective uses, a large chapter addresses method for magnetic capture and preconcentration of analytes. A next chapter discusses commonly used labels such as dots, enzymes, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles and combined clusters. The large field of hybrid nanomaterials for use in such immunoassays is discussed next, with a focus on MNPs composites with various kinds of graphene variants, polydopamine, noble metal nanoparticles or nanotubes. Typical applications address clinical markers (mainly blood and urine parameters), diagnosis of cancer (markers and cells), detection of pathogens (with subsections on viruses and bacteria), and environmental and food contaminants as toxic agents and pesticides. A concluding section summarizes the present status, current challenges, and highlights future trends. Graphical abstract Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) with antibodies (Ab) capture and preconcentrate analyte from sample (a) and afterwards become magnetically (b) or immunospecifically (c) bound at an electrode. Signal either increases due to the presence of alabel (b) or decreases as the redox probe is blocked (c).

Advantages of Graphene Biosensors for Human Stem Cell Therapy Potency Assays

Regenerative medicine is challenged by the need to conform to rigorous guidelines for establishing safe and effective development and translation of stem cell-based therapies. Counteracting widespread concerns regarding unproven cell therapies, stringent cell-based assays seek not only to avoid harm but also to enhance quality and efficacy. Potency indicates that the cells are functionally fit for purpose before they are administered to the patient. It is a paramount quantitative critical quality attribute serving as a decisive release criterion. Given a broad range of stem cell types and therapeutic contexts the potency assay often comprises one of the most demanding hurdles for release of a cell therapy medicinal product. With need for improved biomarker assessment and expedited measurement, recent advances in graphene-based biosensors suggest that they are poised to be valuable platforms for accelerating potency assay development. Among several potential advantages, they offer versatility for sensitive measurement of a broad range of potential biomarker types, cell biocompatibility for direct measurement, and small sample sufficiency, plus ease of use and point-of-care applicability.

A single-cell analysis platform for electrochemiluminescent detection of platelets adhesion to endothelial cells based on Au@DL-ZnCQDs nanoprobes

A novel single-cell analysis platform (SCA) was developed for the investigation of platelets adhesion to single human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) via using the adhesion molecule (E-selectin) on the damaged HUVEC as the marker site, and integrating electrochemiluminescence (ECL) with the ultrasensitive Au@DL-ZnCQDs nanoprobes. The Au@DL-ZnCQDs nanocomposite, a kind of double layer zinc-coadsorbed carbon quantum dot (ZnCQDs) core-shell nanoprobe, was firstly constructed by using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the core to load with ZnCQDs and then the citrate-modified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as the bridge to link AuNPs-ZnCQDs with ZnCQDs to form the core-shell with double layer ZnCQDs (DL-ZnCQDs) nanoprobe, revealed a 10-fold signal amplification. The H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage HUVECs were utilized as the cellular model on which anti-E-selectin functionalized nanoprobes specially recognized E-selectin, the SCA showed that the ECL signals decreased with platelets adhesion to single HUVEC. The proposed SCA could effectively and dynamically monitor the adhesion between single HUVEC and platelets in the absence and presence of collagen activation, moreover, be able to quantitatively detect the number of platelets adhesion to single HUVEC, and show a good analytical performance with linear range from 1 to 15 platelets. In contrast, the HUVEC was down-regulated the expression of adhesion molecules by treating with quercetin inhibitor, and the SCA also exhibited the feasibility for analysis of platelets adhesion to single HUVEC. Therefore, the single-cell analysis platform provided a novel and promising protocol for analysis of the single intercellular adhesion, and it will be beneficial to elucidate the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.

Potential-Resolved Electrochemiluminescence for Simultaneous Determination of Triple Latent Tuberculosis Infection Markers

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor based on the potential-resolved strategy was first developed for simultaneous determination of triple latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) markers with high sensitivity, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-2. In this work, luminol and self-prepared carbon quantum dots and CdS quantum dots were integrated onto gold nanoparticles and magnetic beads in sequence to fabricate potential-resolved ECL nanoprobes with signal amplification. IFN-γ-antibody (Ab)1, TNF-α-Ab1, and IL-2-Ab1 were separately immobilized on three spatially resolved areas of a patterned indium tin oxide electrode to capture the corresponding LTBI markers, which were further recognized by IFN-γ-Ab2, TNF-α-Ab2, and IL-2-Ab2-functionalized ECL nanoprobes. The binding reaction of antibody-functionalized ECL nanoprobes and the captured LTBI markers will generate three sensitive and potential-resolved ECL signals during one potential scanning, and the ECL intensities reflect the concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in the range of 1.6-200 pg mL^-1. Therefore, the multiplexed ECL immunosensor provided an effective approach for simultaneous detection of triple LTBI markers in human serum, so it will be beneficial to facilitate more accurate and reliable clinical diagnosis for LTBI.

A New Tactic for Label-Free Recognition of β-Trophin via Electrochemiluminescent Signalling on an AuNPs Supported Immuno-Interface

In this paper, a new strategy is reported for preparing a label-free β-trophin electrochemiluminescent (ECL) immunosensor with good specificity, reproducibility and stability. An aquagel polymer from the hydrolysis of (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane acted as the linker to catch the Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the indium-tin oxide (ITO) substrate by a two-step method. The AuNPs play an important role in enhancing ECL and immobilizing the β-trophin antibody. This immunosensor can test for β-trophin using luminol as an ECL probe. The ECL intensity at the resultant sensor, after the direct immuno-interaction, was proportional to the concentration of β-trophin and had a low limit of quantification as 4.2 ng mL⁻¹. After deep discussions on the ECL mechanism of this immunosensor, we found that its sensitivity is greatly affected by the presence of oxygen and improved under deoxygenation. We believe that this sensor can be used for clinical cases.

Novel Electrochemiluminescence-Sensing Platform for the Precise Analysis of Multiple Latent Tuberculosis Infection Markers

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is one of the major contributing factors for the high incidence of tuberculosis, and the low contents of LTBI markers in human serum present a great challenge for the diagnosis of LTBI. Here, we reported a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-sensing platform for the precise analysis of multiple LTBI markers, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2. In this approach, self-prepared carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and luminol were integrated onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which were further enriched on the surface of magnetic bead (MB) to create two solid-phase ECL nanoprobes (MB@Au@CQDs and MB@Au@luminol) for improving the detection sensitivity efficiently. Graphene oxide (GO) and AuNPs were electrodeposited onto a patterned indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode with two spatially resolved areas in sequence to form two sensitive and stable sensing areas. IFN-γ-antibody (Ab)₁ and IL-2-Ab₁ were separately immobilized on the two sensing areas to capture the corresponding LTBI markers, which were further recognized by IFN-γ-Ab₂ and IL-2-Ab₂ labeled as MB@Au@CQDs and MB@Au@luminol. The ECL intensity depended linearly on the content of IFN-γ and IL-2 in the range of 0.01-1000 pg mL^-1, with a low detection limit of 10 fg mL^-1. The proposed ECL-sensing platform is simple, sensitive, accurate, reliable, and specific to the detection of rare IFN-γ and IL-2 in human serum and provides a valuable protocol for facilitating fast and precise diagnosis of LTBI.

Novel Single-Cell Analysis Platform Based on a Solid-State Zinc-Coadsorbed Carbon Quantum Dots Electrochemiluminescence Probe for the Evaluation of CD44 Expression on Breast Cancer Cells

A novel single-cell analysis platform was fabricated using solid-state zinc-coadsorbed carbon quantum dot (ZnCQDs) nanocomposites as an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) probe for the detection of breast cancer cells and evaluation of the CD44 expression level. Solid-state ZnCQDs nanocomposite probes were constructed through the attachment of ZnCQDs to gold nanoparticles and then the loading of magnetic beads to amplify the ECL signal, exhibiting a remarkable 120-fold enhancement of the ECL intensity. Hyaluronic acid (HA)-functionalized solid-state probes were used to label a single breast cancer cell by the specific recognition of HA with CD44 on the cell surface, revealing more stable, sensitive, and effective tagging in comparison with the water-soluble CQDs. This strategy exhibited a good analytical performance for the analysis of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 single cells with linear range from 1 to 18 and from 1 to 12 cells, respectively. Furthermore, this single-cell analysis platform was used for evaluation of the CD44 expression level of these two cell lines, in which the MDA-MB-231 cells revealed a 2.8-5.2-fold higher CD44 expression level. A total of 20 single cells were analyzed individually, and the distributions of the ECL intensity revealed larger variations, indicating the high cellular heterogeneity of the CD44 expression level on the same cell line. The as-proposed single-cell analysis platform might provide a novel protocol to effectively study the individual cellular function and cellular heterogeneity.

Amperometric IFN-γ immunosensors with commercially fabricated PCB sensing electrodes

Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) technology has the potential to revolutionize medical Point-of-Care diagnostics. Currently, considerable research efforts are focused on innovative production technologies that will make commercial upscaling of lab-on-chip products financially viable. Printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing techniques have several advantages in this field. In this paper we focus on transferring a complete IFN-γ enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) onto a commercial PCB electrochemical biosensing platform, We adapted a commercially available ELISA to detect the enzyme product TMB/H2O2 using amperometry, successfully reproducing the colorimetry-obtained ELISA standard curve. The results demonstrate the potential for the integration of these components into an automated, disposable, electronic ELISA Lab-on-PCB diagnostic platform.