Iron Phthalocyanine Decorated Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Biosensing Platform for Real-Time Detection of Nitric Oxide Released from Living Cells

Anal Chem. 2018 Apr 3;90(7):4438-4444. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04419. Epub 2018 Mar 13.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a transcellular messenger involved in many physiological and pathological processes, but the real-time detection of NO in biological systems is still challenging due to its rapid diffusion, low concentration, and short half-life. A novel electrochemical sensing platform based on iron phthalocyanine (FePc) functionalized nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G) nanocomposites was constructed to achieve in situ monitoring of NO released from living cells on the sensing layer. By taking advantage of the synergetic effect of N-G and FePc nanocomposites, the N-G/FePc sensor displays excellent electrocatalytic activity toward NO with a high sensitivity of 0.21 μA μM-1 cm-2 and a low detection limit of 180 nmol L-1. The following layer-by-layer assembly of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and Nafion further improved the capacity of resisting disturbance as well as the biocompatibility of the sensing interface. The flexible design of the ITO substrate based electrode provides a more controlled cellular biosensing system which could capture molecular signals immediately after NO released from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The exhibited additional features of high sensitivity, rapid response, and ease of operation implies that the proposed N-G/FePc/Nafion/PLL ITO biosensor is a promising powerful platform in various complex biological systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis*
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Indoles
  • iron phthalocyanine
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Graphite
  • Nitrogen