Developments in the synthesis of a water compatible molecularly imprinted polymer as artificial receptor for detection of 3-nitro-l-tyrosine in neurological diseases

MXene nanosheet-derived N, S-codoped graphene quantum dots for ultrasensitive and selective detection of 3-nitro-l-tyrosine in human serum

3-Nitro-l-tyrosine (3NT) is an oxidative stress metabolite associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, the N, S-co-doped graphene quantum dots (NSGQDs) derived from nitrogen-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheet via the hydrothermal method in the presence of mercaptosuccinic acid was synthesized as an optical sensing probe to detect 3NT in human serum. Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, the nitrogen source and delamination agent, was used to prepare nitrogen-doped MXene nanosheets via one step at room temperature. The as-prepared NSGQDs are uniform with an average size of 1.2 ± 0.6 nm, and can be stable in aqueous solution for at least 90 d to serve as the fluorescence probe. The N atoms in N-MXene reduce the restacking and aggregation of MXene nanosheets, while the sulfur dopant in NSGQDs increases the quantum yield from 6.2 to 12.1 % as well as enhances the selectivity of 3NT over the other 12 interferences via coordination interaction with nitro group in 3NT. A linear range of 0.02-150 μM in PBS and 0.05-200 μM in human serum with a recovery of 97-108 % for 3NT detection is observed. Moreover, the limit of detection can be lowered to 4.2 and 7 nM in PBS and 1 × diluted human serum, respectively. Results obtained clearly indicate the potential application of the N-Ti3C2Tx derived NSGQD for effective detection of 3NT, which can open a window for the synthesis of doped GQDs via 2D MXene materials for ultrasensitive and selective detection of other biometabolites and biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases in biological fluids.

Characterization of the internal working-life exposome using minimally and non-invasive sampling methods - a narrative review

During recent years, we are moving away from the 'one exposure, one disease'-approach in occupational settings and towards a more comprehensive approach, taking into account the totality of exposures during a life course by using an exposome approach. Taking an exposome approach however is accompanied by many challenges, one of which, for example, relates to the collection of biological samples. Methods used for sample collection in occupational exposome studies should ideally be minimally invasive, while at the same time sensitive, and enable meaningful repeated sampling in a large population and over a longer time period. This might be hampered in specific situations e.g., people working in remote areas, during pandemics or with flexible work hours. In these situations, using self-sampling techniques might offer a solution. Therefore, our aim was to identify existing self-sampling techniques and to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in an occupational exposome context by conducting a literature review. We here present an overview of current self-sampling methodologies used to characterize the internal exposome. In addition, the use of different biological matrices was evaluated and subdivided based on their level of invasiveness and applicability in an occupational exposome context. In conclusion, this review and the overview of self-sampling techniques presented herein can serve as a guide in the design of future (occupational) exposome studies while circumventing sample collection challenges associated with exposome studies.

Decorated graphene oxide with gold nanoparticles as a sensitive modified carbon paste electrode for simultaneous determination of tyrosine and uric acid

It is presented here as a simple, selective, rapid, low-cost, with a wide linear range method to simultaneously determine tyrosine and uric acid using a modified carbon paste electrode decorated with graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles (GO/AuNPs/MCPE). In order to characterize and evaluate the morphology and constituents of the nanostructures, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopes, Dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Voltammetry were employed. The current response on the surface of the modified electrode had a dynamic linear range relationship in the concentrations of 0.14-340.00 µmol L-1 and 0.06-141.00 µmol L-1 for tyrosine and uric acid, respectively, and the method detection limit (MDL) was 0.0060 µmol L-1 and 0.0037 µmol L-1, respectively. This modified electrode provided high stability, sensitivity, and acceptable reproducibility for voltammetric measurements of tyrosine and uric acid simultaneously in a biological matrix.

Raclopride-Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: A Promising Technology for Selective [11C]Raclopride Purification

In this work, we developed a novel approach to purify [¹¹C]Raclopride ([¹¹C]RAC), an important positron emission tomography radiotracer, based on tailored shape-recognition polymers, with the aim to substitute single-pass HPLC purification with an in-flow trap & release process. Molecular imprinting technology (MIT) applied to solid phase extraction (MISPE) was investigated to develop a setting able to selectively extract [¹¹C]RAC in a mixture containing a high amount of its precursor, (S)-O-Des-Methyl-Raclopride (DM-RAC). Two imprinted polymers selective for unlabeled RAC and DM-RAC were synthesized through a radical polymerization at 65 °C using methacrylic acid and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate in the presence of template molecule (RAC or DM-RAC). The prepared polymer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and tested in MISPE experiments. The polymers were used in testing conditions, revealing a high retention capacity of RAC-MISPE to retain RAC either in the presence of similar concentrations of RAC and DM-RAC precursor (96.9%, RSD 6.6%) and in the presence of a large excess of precursor (90%, RSD 4.6%) in the loading solution. Starting from these promising results, preliminary studies for selective purification of [¹¹C]Raclopride using this RAC-MISPE were performed and, while generally confirming the selectivity capacity of the polymer, revealed challenging applicability to the current synthetic process, mainly due to high backpressures and long elution times.

In Situ Synthesis of a Bismuth Vanadate/Molybdenum Disulfide Composite: An Electrochemical Tool for 3-Nitro-l-Tyrosine Analysis

The quantification of 3-nitro-l-tyrosine (NO₂-Tyr), an in vivo biomarker of nitrosative stress, is indispensable for the clinical intervention of various inflammatory disorders caused by nitrosative stress. By integrating the unique features of BiVO₄ and MoS₂ with matching bandgap energies, electrode materials with amplified response signals can be developed. In this regard, we introduce a hydrothermally synthesized bismuth vanadate sheathed molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂@BiVO₄) heterojunction as a highly sensitive electrode material for the determination of NO₂-Tyr. Excellent electrochemical behavior perceived for the MoS₂@BiVO₄ augments the performance of the sensor and allows the measurement of NO₂-Tyr in biological media without any time-consuming pretreatments. The synergistic interactions between BiVO₄ and MoS₂ heterojunctions contribute to low resistance charge transfer (R_ct = 159.13 Ω·cm²), a reduction potential E_pc = -0.58 V (vs Ag/AgCl), and a good response range (0.001-526.3 μM) with a lower limit of detection (0.94 nM) toward the detection of NO₂-Tyr. An improved active surface area, reduced charge recombination, and high analyte adsorption contribute to the high loading of the biomarker for improved selectivity (in the presence of 10 interfering compounds), operational stability (1000 s), and reproducibility (six various modified electrodes). The proposed sensor was successfully utilized for the real-time determination of NO₂-Tyr in water, urine, and saliva samples with good recovery values (±98.94-99.98%), ascertaining the reliability of the method. It is noteworthy that the electrochemical activity remains unaffected by other redox interferons, thus leading to targeted sensing applications.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Diagnostics: Accessing Analytes in Biofluids

Bio-applied molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are biomimetic materials with tailor-made synthetic recognition sites, mimicking biological counterparts known for their sensitive and selective analyte detection. MIPs, specifically designed for biomarker analysis...

Development of a surface plasmon resonance immunosensor and ELISA for 3-nitrotyrosine in human urine

3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT) is thought to be a relevant biomarker of nitrosative stress which is associated with many inflammatory and chronic diseases. It is necessary to develop confidential method for specific and sensitive 3-NT detection. In this paper, on the basis of anti-3-NT specific antibody, we developed a label-free indirect competitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor and ELISA for the detection of 3-NT. Under the optimized conditions, the SPR immunosensor can obtain a linear range of 0.17-6.07 μg/mL and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.12 μg/mL while the ELISA can reach 0.33-9.94 μg/mL and a LOD of 0.24 μg/mL.The selectivity of 3-NT was also testified by six kinds of amino acid analogues. Besides, the developed SPR immunosensor was compared thoroughly with a conventional ELISA in spiked analysis of urine samples. Good recoveries and correlation between these two methods were observed (R² = 0.964). Therefore, it is concluded that the automated SPR platform can be applied to quantify 3-NT in biological samples with its sensitivity, accuracy, and real-timing.

Separation of bovine hemoglobin using novel magnetic molecular imprinted nanoparticles

Magnetic molecular imprinted nanoparticles (MMIPs), combining the progressiveness of magnetic nanoparticles and surface molecular imprinting technology, have attracted increasing attention because of the high efficiency and specificity in isolation and enrichment of the target protein. This study focused on the preparation of bovine hemoglobin MMIPs with bovine hemoglobin (BHb) as the template protein and the molecular imprinted polymer covering the functional magnetic nanoparticles modified with silane and acrylic groups. The physicochemical characteristics as well as the dynamics and isothermal adsorption properties of the generated nanoparticles were investigated to determine their efficiency and specificity in the adsorption of target protein. The maximum adsorption of the target protein was 169.29 mg g⁻¹ at a specific pH, which was much larger than those obtained in some other research reports. MMIPs showed favorable selectivity towards BHb in a mixture of three different proteins. The results indicated the significant effects and broad prospects of MMIPs in the isolation and enrichment of specific proteins in the field of food, medicine and biological research.

Magnetic molecular imprinted nanoparticles (MMIPs), combining the progressiveness of magnetic nanoparticles and surface molecular imprinting technology, have shown the high efficiency and specificity in isolation and enrichment of the target protein.

A New Ion-Imprinted Chitosan-Based Membrane with an Azo-Derivative Ligand for the Efficient Removal of Pd(II)

Herein, we described the synthesis of a novel ion-imprinted membrane for the detection of palladium(II) prepared through the glutaraldehyde crosslinking of chitosan with a 4-[(4-Hydroxy)phenylazo]benzenesulfonic acid ligand trapped into the membrane. The imprinting technology was used to improve adsorption capacity and adsorption selectivity, and was combined with some advantages of the developed membrane, such as low cost and ease of preparation, water-friendly synthesis, and high biocompatible chitosan material. The membranes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). The results obtained showed a high swelling ratio with a maximum value of 16.4 (1640%) at pH 4 with a strong pH dependence. Batch rebinding experiments gave a maximum adsorption capacity of 101.6 mg of Pd(II) per gram of imprinted membrane. The Pd(II) adsorption behavior was well-described by a Langmuir model with a theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of 93.48 mg g^-1, similar to the experimental one. Finally, a selectivity study versus Ag(I), Pb(II), and Fe(III) ions demonstrated a good selectivity of chitosan-imprinted membrane towards Pd(II).

Integration of Miniaturized Solid Phase Extraction and LC-MS/MS Detection of 3-Nitrotyrosine in Human Urine for Clinical Applications

Free 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) has been extensively used as a possible biomarker for oxidative stress. Increased levels of 3-NT have been reported in a wide variety of pathological conditions. However, existing methods lack the sufficient sensitivity and/or specificity necessary to measure the low endogenous level of 3-NT reliably and are too cumbersome for clinical applications. Hence, analytical improvement is urgently needed to accurately quantify the levels of 3-NT and verify the role of 3-NT in pathological conditions. This protocol presents the development of a novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection combined with a miniaturized solid phase extraction (SPE) for the rapid and accurate measurement of 3-NT in human urine as a non-invasive biomarker for oxidative stress. SPE using a 96-well plate markedly simplified the process by combining sample cleanup and analyte enrichment without tedious derivatization and evaporation steps, reducing solvent consumption, waste disposal, risk of contamination and overall processing time. The employment of 25 mM ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) at pH 9 as the SPE elution solution substantially enhanced the selectivity. Mass spectrometry signal response was improved through adjustment of the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions. Use of 0.01% HCOOH as additive on a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column (150 mm x 2.1 mm, 3 µm) improved signal response another 2.5-fold and shortened the overall run time to 7 min. A lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 10 pg/mL (0.044 nM) was achieved, representing a significant sensitivity improvement over the reported assays. This simplified, rapid, selective and sensitive method allows two plates of urine samples (n = 192) to be processed in a 24 h time-period. Considering the markedly improved analytical performance, and non-invasive and inexpensive urine sampling, the proposed assay is beneficial for pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Receptor-ligand interactions: Advanced biomedical applications

Receptor-ligand interactions (RLIs) are at the base of all biological events occurring in living cells. The understanding of interactions between complementary macromolecules in biological systems represents a high-priority research area in bionanotechnology to design the artificial systems mimicking natural processes. This review summarizes and analyzes RLIs in some cutting-edge biomedical fields, in particular, for the preparation of novel stationary phases to separate complex biological mixtures in medical diagnostics, for the design of ultrasensitive biosensors for identification of biomarkers of various diseases at early stages, as well as in the development of innovative biomaterials and approaches for regenerative medicine. All these biotechnological fields are closely related, because their success depends on a proper choice, combination and spatial disposition of the single components of ligand-receptor pairs on the surface of appropriately designed support.

Label-free detection of 3-nitro-l-tyrosine with nickel-doped graphene localized surface plasmon resonance biosensor

3-nitro-l-tyrosine (3-NT) is believed to be a biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases and metal doped graphene possess exceptionally high binding energy of 3-NT with metal-nitro chemisorption. Here we report a novel label-free detection scheme of 3-NT via nickel-doped graphene (NDG) as the functionalized receptor on our phase detecting localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor. When compared with reported 3-NT immunoassay with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), our NDG-LSPR platform offers two advantages i.e. 1) label-free and 2) capture of 3-NT by direct chemisorption. Our limit of detection for 3-NT in PBS was found to be 0.13pg/ml and the linear dynamic range of response was from 0.5pg/ml to 1ng/ml, i.e. four orders of magnitude. The specificity of our NDG receptor to 3-NT was also verified with l-tyrosine of equivalent concentrations in PBS and diluted human serum, for which the NDG receptor shows negligible responses. In addition, the adsorption of 3-NT and l-tyrosine to the NDG receptor were also investigated by atomic force microscopy and further verified by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Therefore, our NDG-LSPR biosensor competes favorably against ELISA and we believe it should be an attractive and economical solution to early diagnostic of 3-NT related disorders for clinical applications.

3-Nitrotyrosine quantification methods: Current concepts and future challenges

BACKGROUND

Measurement of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in biological samples can be used as a biomarker of nitrosative stress, since it is very stable and suitable for analysis. Increased 3-NT levels in biological samples have been associated with several physiological and pathological conditions. Different methods have been described for the detection and quantification of this molecule, such as (i) immunological methods; (ii) liquid chromatography, namely high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based methods that use ultraviolet-visible (UV/VIS) absorption, electrochemical (ECD) and diode array (DAD) detection, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); (iii) gas chromatography, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).

METHODS

A literature review on nitrosative stress, protein nitration, as well as 3-NT quantification methods was carried out.

RESULTS

This review covers the different methods for analysis of 3-NT that have been developed during the last years as well as the latest advances in this field. Overall, all methods present positive and negative aspects, although it is clear that chromatography-based methods present good sensitivity and specificity. Regarding this, GC-based methods exhibit the highest sensibility in the quantification of 3-NT, although it requires a prior time consuming derivatization step. Conversely, HPLC does not require such derivatization step, despite being not as accurate as GC.

CONCLUSION

It becomes clear that all the methods described during this literature review, although accurate for 3-NT quantification, need to be improved regarding both sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, optimization of the protocols that have been described is clearly needed.

Determination of triazine herbicides from honey samples based on hydrophilic molecularly imprinted resins followed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A facile, novel and efficient approach to extract six triazine herbicides from honey samples based on hydrophilic molecularly imprinted resins (MIRs) was described.

Molecularly Imprinted Composite Membranes for Selective Detection of 2-Deoxyadenosine in Urine Samples

An important challenge for scientific research is the production of artificial systems able to mimic the recognition mechanisms occurring at the molecular level in living systems. A valid contribution in this direction resulted from the development of molecular imprinting. In this work, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer composite membrane (MIM) was synthesized and employed for the selective detection in urine samples of 2-deoxyadenosine (2-dA), an important tumoral marker. By thermal polymerization, the 2-dA-MIM was cross-linked on the surface of a polyvinylidene-difluoride (PVDF) membrane. By characterization techniques, the linking of the imprinted polymer on the surface of the membrane was found. Batch-wise guest binding experiments confirmed the absorption capacity of the synthesized membrane towards the template molecule. Subsequently, a time-course of 2-dA retention on membrane was performed and the best minimum time (30 min) to bind the molecule was established. HPLC analysis was also performed to carry out a rapid detection of target molecule in urine sample with a recovery capacity of 85%. The experiments indicated that the MIM was highly selective and can be used for revealing the presence of 2-dA in urine samples.

Mass spectrometry and 3-nitrotyrosine: strategies, controversies, and our current perspective

Reactive-nitrogen species (RNS) such as peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), that is, the reaction product of nitric oxide ((•)NO) and superoxide (O2(-•)), nitryl chloride (NO2Cl) and (•)NO2 react with the activated aromatic ring of tyrosine to form 3-nitrotyrosine. This modification, which has been known for more than a century, occurs to both the free form of the amino acid (i.e., soluble/free tyrosine) and to tyrosine residues covalently bound within the backbone of peptides and proteins. Nitration of tyrosine is thought to be of biological significance and has been linked to health and disease, but determining its role has proved challenging. Several key questions have been the focus of much of the research activity: (a) to what extent is free/soluble tyrosine nitrated in biological tissues and fluids, and (b) are there specific site(s) of nitration within peptides/proteins and to what extent (i.e., stoichiometry) does this modification occur? These issues have been addressed in a wide range of sample types (e.g., blood, urine, CSF, exhaled breath condensate and various tissues) and a diverse array of physiological/pathophysiological scenarios. The accurate determination of nitrated tyrosine is, however, a stumbling block. Despite extensive study, the extent to which nitration occurs in vivo, the specificity of the nitration reaction, and its importance in health and disease, remain unclear. In this review, we highlight the analytical challenges and discuss the approaches adopted to address them. Mass spectrometry, in combination with either gas chromatography (GC-MS, GC-MS/MS) or liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS), has played the central role in the analysis of 3-nitrotyrosine and tyrosine-nitrated biological macromolecules. We discuss its unique attributes and highlight the role of stable-isotope labeled 3-nitrotyrosine analogs in both accurate quantification, and in helping to define the biological relevance of tyrosine nitration. We show that the application of sophisticated mass spectrometric techniques is advantageous if not essential, but that this alone is by no means a guarantee of accurate findings. We discuss the important analytical challenges in quantifying 3-nitrotyrosine, possible workarounds, and we attempt to make sense of the disparate findings that have been reported so far.