Scanning force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy of microcontact printed antibodies and antibody fragments

A Simplified and Robust Activation Procedure of Glass Surfaces for Printing Proteins and Subcellular Micropatterning Experiments

Depositing biomolecule micropatterns on solid substrates via microcontact printing (µCP) usually requires complex chemical substrate modifications to initially create reactive surface groups. Here, we present a simplified activation procedure for untreated solid substrates based on a commercial polymer metal ion coating (AnteoBindTM Biosensor reagent) that allows for direct µCP and the strong attachment of proteins via avidity binding. In proof-of-concept experiments, we identified the optimum working concentrations of the surface coating, characterized the specificity of protein binding and demonstrated the suitability of this approach by subcellular micropatterning experiments in living cells. Altogether, this method represents a significant enhancement and simplification of existing µCP procedures and further increases the accessibility of protein micropatterning for cell biological research questions.

Tethering of the IgG1 Antibody to Amorphous Silica for Immunosensor Development: A Molecular Dynamics Study

A key factor for improving the sensitivity and performance of immunosensors based on mechanical-plasmonic methods is the orientation of the antibody proteins immobilized on the inorganic surface. Although experimental techniques fail to determine surface phenomena at the molecular level, modern simulations open the possibility for improving our understanding of protein-surface interactions. In this work, replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations have been used to model the IgG1 protein tethered onto the amorphous silica surface by considering a united-atom model and a relatively large system (2500 nm² surface). Additional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted to derive an atomistic model for the amorphous silica surface using the cristobalite crystal structure as a starting point and to examine the structure of the free IgG1 antibody in the solution for comparison when immobilized. Analyses of the trajectories obtained for the tethered IgG1, which was sampled considering 32 different temperatures, have been used to define the geometry of the protein with respect to the inorganic surface. The tilt angle of the protein with respect to the surface plane increases with temperature, the most populated values being 24, 66, and 87° at the lowest (250 K), room (298 K), and the highest (380 K) temperatures. This variation indicates that the importance of protein-surface interactions decreases with increasing temperature. The influence of the surface on the structure of the antibody is very significant in the constant region, which is directly involved in the tethering process, while it is relatively unimportant for the antigen-binding fragments, which are farthest from the surface. These results are expected to contribute to the development of improved mechanical-plasmonic sensor microarrays in the near future.

An Analysis of a Compact Label-Free Guiding-Wave Biosensor Based on a Semiconductor-Clad Dielectric Strip Waveguide

In this paper, a compact, integrated, semiconductor-clad strip waveguide label-free biosensor is proposed and analyzed. The device is based on CMOS-compatible materials such as amorphous-Si and silicon oxynitride. The optical sensor performance has been modeled by a three-dimensional beam propagation method. The simulations indicate that a 20-μm-long device can exhibit a surface limit of detection of 3 ng/cm2 for avidin molecules in aqueous solution. The sensor performance compares well to those displayed by other photonic biosensors with much larger footprints. The fabrication tolerances have been also studied in order to analyze the feasibility of the practical implementation of the biosensor.

Protein micropatterns printed on glass: Novel tools for protein-ligand binding assays in live cells

Micrometer-sized patterns of proteins on glass or silica surfaces are in widespread use as protein arrays for probing with ligands or recombinant proteins. More recently, they have been used to capture the surface proteins of mammalian cells seeded onto them, and to arrange these surface proteins into pattern structures. Binding of small molecule ligands or of other proteins, transmembrane or intracellular, to these captured surface proteins can then be quantified. However, reproducible production of protein micropatterns on surfaces can be technically difficult. In this review, we outline the wide potential and the current practical uses of printed protein micropatterns in a historical overview, and we detail some potential pitfalls and difficulties from our own experience, as well as ways to circumvent them.

Specific Capture of Peptide-Receptive Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecules by Antibody Micropatterns Allows for a Novel Peptide-Binding Assay in Live Cells

Binding assays with fluorescently labeled ligands and recombinant receptor proteins are commonly performed in 2D arrays. But many cell surface receptors only function in their native membrane environment and/or in a specific conformation, such as they appear on the surface of live cells. Thus, receptors on live cells should be used for ligand binding assays. Here, it is shown that antibodies preprinted on a glass surface can be used to specifically array a peptide receptor of the immune system, i.e., the major histocompatibility complex class I molecule H-2K^b , into a defined pattern on the surface of live cells. Monoclonal antibodies make it feasible to capture a distinct subpopulation of H-2K^b and hold it at the cell surface. This patterned receptor enables a novel peptide-binding assay, in which the specific binding of a fluorescently labeled index peptide is visualized by microscopy. Measurements of ligand binding to captured cell surface receptors in defined confirmations apply to many problems in cell biology and thus represent a promising tool in the field of biosensors.

Design of surface modifications for nanoscale sensor applications

Nanoscale biosensors provide the possibility to miniaturize optic, acoustic and electric sensors to the dimensions of biomolecules. This enables approaching single-molecule detection and new sensing modalities that probe molecular conformation. Nanoscale sensors are predominantly surface-based and label-free to exploit inherent advantages of physical phenomena allowing high sensitivity without distortive labeling. There are three main criteria to be optimized in the design of surface-based and label-free biosensors: (i) the biomolecules of interest must bind with high affinity and selectively to the sensitive area; (ii) the biomolecules must be efficiently transported from the bulk solution to the sensor; and (iii) the transducer concept must be sufficiently sensitive to detect low coverage of captured biomolecules within reasonable time scales. The majority of literature on nanoscale biosensors deals with the third criterion while implicitly assuming that solutions developed for macroscale biosensors to the first two, equally important, criteria are applicable also to nanoscale sensors. We focus on providing an introduction to and perspectives on the advanced concepts for surface functionalization of biosensors with nanosized sensor elements that have been developed over the past decades (criterion (iii)). We review in detail how patterning of molecular films designed to control interactions of biomolecules with nanoscale biosensor surfaces creates new possibilities as well as new challenges.

A patterned recombinant human IgM guides neurite outgrowth of CNS neurons

Matrix molecules convey biochemical and physical guiding signals to neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and shape the trajectory of neuronal fibers that constitute neural networks. We have developed recombinant human IgMs that bind to epitopes on neural cells, with the aim of treating neurological diseases. Here we test the hypothesis that recombinant human IgMs (rHIgM) can guide neurite outgrowth of CNS neurons. Microcontact printing was employed to pattern rHIgM12 and rHIgM22, antibodies that were bioengineered to have variable regions capable of binding to neurons or oligodendrocytes, respectively. rHIgM12 promoted neuronal attachment and guided outgrowth of neurites from hippocampal neurons. Processes from spinal neurons followed grid patterns of rHIgM12 and formed a physical network. Comparison between rHIgM12 and rHIgM22 suggested the biochemistry that facilitates anchoring the neuronal surfaces is a prerequisite for the function of IgM, and spatial properties cooperate in guiding the assembly of neuronal networks.

Stamps, inks and substrates: polymers in microcontact printing

It's all about polymers! Polymers play a key role in the patterning and functionalization of surfaces by microcontact printing. Polymers are versatile stamps, inks and substrates and microcontact printing can provide microstructured polymer surfaces in a single printing step.

Systematic variation of microtopography, surface chemistry and elastic modulus and the state dependent effect on endothelial cell alignment

We examined how variations in elastic modulus, surface chemistry and the height and spacing of micro-ridges interact and effect endothelial cell (EC) alignment. Specifically, we employed independent control of the surface properties in order to elucidate the relative importance of each factor. Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer (PDMSe) was fabricated with 1.5 or 5 microm tall, 5 microm spaced and 5, 10, or 20 microm wide ridge microtopographies. Elastic modulus was varied from 0.3, 1.0, 1.4, and 2.3 MPa by controlling oligomeric additives and crosslink density. Surface chemistry was left untreated, argon plasma treated, coated with fibronectin (Fn) or patterned with Fn tracks on flat PDMSe or the tops of micro-ridges. Primary porcine vascular ECs were cultured on the PDMSe substrates and nuclear form factor (NFF) was used to determine cell orientation relative to surface microtopography. Experimental results showed that microtopographical variation strongly altered EC alignment on Fn coated surfaces, but not on plasma treated surfaces. Interestingly, similar alignment was achieved with different orientation cues, either micropatterned chemistry (2D) or microtopography (3D). In total, the effect of varying one of the experimental parameters depended strongly on the state of the others, highlighting the need for multi-factor analysis of surface properties for applications where cells and tissue will contact synthetic materials.

Microcontact printed antibodies on gold surfaces: function, uniformity, and silicone contamination

The function of microcontact printed protein was investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectroscopy (XPS), and XPS imaging. We chose to analyze a model protein system, the binding of an antibody from solution to a microcontact printed protein antigen immobilized to a gold surface. SPR imaging experiments indicated that the microcontact printed protein antigen was less homogeneous, had increased nonspecific binding, and bound less antibody than substrates to which the protein antigen had been physically adsorbed. SPR images of substrates contacted with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamp inked with buffer alone (i.e., no protein) revealed that significant amounts of silicone oligomer were transferred to the surface. The transfer of the silicone oligomer was not homogeneous, and the oligomer nonspecifically bound protein (BSA and IgG) from solution. XPS spectroscopy and imaging were used to quantify the amount of silicon (due to the presence of silicone oligomer), as well as the amounts of other elements, transferred to the surface. The results suggest that the silicone oligomer introduced by the printing process reduces the overall binding capacity of the microcontact-printed protein compared to physically adsorbed protein.

Electrochemical Biosensors - Sensor Principles and Architectures

Quantification of biological or biochemical processes are of utmost importance for medical, biological and biotechnological applications. However, converting the biological information to an easily processed electronic signal is challenging due to the complexity of connecting an electronic device directly to a biological environment. Electrochemical biosensors provide an attractive means to analyze the content of a biological sample due to the direct conversion of a biological event to an electronic signal. Over the past decades several sensing concepts and related devices have been developed. In this review, the most common traditional techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, impedance spectroscopy, and various field-effect transistor based methods are presented along with selected promising novel approaches, such as nanowire or magnetic nanoparticle-based biosensing. Additional measurement techniques, which have been shown useful in combination with electrochemical detection, are also summarized, such as the electrochemical versions of surface plasmon resonance, optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy, ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance, and scanning probe microscopy. The signal transduction and the general performance of electrochemical sensors are often determined by the surface architectures that connect the sensing element to the biological sample at the nanometer scale. The most common surface modification techniques, the various electrochemical transduction mechanisms, and the choice of the recognition receptor molecules all influence the ultimate sensitivity of the sensor. New nanotechnology-based approaches, such as the use of engineered ion-channels in lipid bilayers, the encapsulation of enzymes into vesicles, polymersomes, or polyelectrolyte capsules provide additional possibilities for signal amplification. In particular, this review highlights the importance of the precise control over the delicate interplay between surface nano-architectures, surface functionalization and the chosen sensor transducer principle, as well as the usefulness of complementary characterization tools to interpret and to optimize the sensor response.

Effect of surface parameters on the performance of IgG-arrayed hydrogel chips: a comprehensive study

In this article, the assay performance of 3D polyurethane (PU) hydrogel surfaces, used either plain or modified with cross linkers and additives in a direct immunoassay for IgG, is correlated with chip surface parameters such as water content and expansion, mechanical stability, hydrophilicity, thickness, and surface topography. Commercial chip surfaces ARChip Epoxy, Nexterion slide H and HydroGel are used as references. A strong correlation between assay sensitivity and physical surface parameters was found only for various hydrogels of the same chemical composition, in which cases assay sensitivity increases with decreasing hydrogel concentration as well as decreasing roughness, water content, and expansion. However, as is the case with all hydrogels tested, more hydrophobic layers with low water content are more highly reproducible from one measurement to another.

Reproducibility of hydrogel slides in on-chip immunoassays with respect to scanning mode, spot circularity, and data filtering

The reproducibility of three-dimensional hydrogel surfaces based on polyurethane, poly(vinyl alcohol), and polyacrylamide (HydroGel) with respect to scanning mode (confocal vs nonconfocal), alignment (circular vs irregular), and influence of fluorescent background was investigated. It is demonstrated that, if even probe spots are provided, fluorescence intensities measured at the same photomultiplier tube gain are similar for confocal and nonconfocal scanning modes. Uneven probe spots, however, cause reduced fluorescence with confocal scanners, greater spot-to-spot variation, and higher degrees of intra- and interexperimental variability (%CV among three experiments). By using irregular instead of circular spot alignment, reproducibility (%CV) is improved for good- and bad-quality spots, in the latter case by up to three times as much. In addition, circularity can be used together with the mean-median correlation of pixel intensities as a quality measure.

Self-supporting hydrogel stamps for the microcontact printing of proteins

In this work we explore a new hydrogel stamp material obtained from polymerizing 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in the presence of water for the microcontact printing of proteins directly on gold substrates and by covalent coupling to self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols. At high cross-link density, the hydrogel is rigid, hydrophilic, and with a high buffer holding capacity to enable the unsupported printing of protein patterns homogeneously and reproducibly, with micrometer-range precision. The stamps were used to print antibodies to human parathyroid hormone, which were shown using immunoassay tests to retain their biological function with binding capacities comparable to those of solution-adsorbed antibodies.

Straightforward protein immobilization on Sylgard 184 PDMS microarray surface

In this work, a straightforward technique for protein immobilization on Sylgard 184 is described. The method consists of a direct transfer of dried protein/salt solutions to the PDMS interface during the polymer curing. Such non-conventional treatment of proteins was found to have no major negative consequence on their integrity. The mechanisms of this direct immobilization were investigated using a lysine modified dextran molecule as a model. Clear experimental results suggested that both chemical bounding and molding effect were implicated. As a proof of concept study, three different proteins were immobilized on a single microarray (Arachis hypogaea lectin, rabbit IgG, and human IgG) and used as antigens for capture of chemiluminescent immunoassays. The proteins were shown to be easily recognized by their specific antibodies, giving antibody detection limits in the fmol range.