Single droplet detection of immune checkpoints on a multiplexed electrohydrodynamic biosensor

Analyst. 2019 Nov 18;144(23):6914-6921. doi: 10.1039/c9an01450k.

Abstract

Monitoring soluble immune checkpoints in circulating fluids has the potential for minimally-invasive diagnostics and personalised therapy in precision medicine. Yet, the sensitive detection of multiple immune checkpoints from small volumes of liquid biopsy samples is challenging. In this study, we develop a multiplexed immune checkpoint biosensor (MICB) for parallel detection of soluble immune checkpoints PD-1, PD-L1, and LAG-3. MICB integrates a microfluidic sandwich immunoassay using engineered single chain variable fragments and alternating current electrohydrodynamic in situ nanofluidic mixing for promoting biosensor-target interaction and reducing non-specific non-target binding. MICB provides advantages of simultaneous analysis of up to 28 samples in <2 h, requires as little as a single sample drop (i.e., 20 μL) per target immune checkpoint, and applies high-affinity yeast cell-derived single chain variable fragments as a cost-effective alternative to monoclonal antibodies. We investigate the assay performance of MICB and demonstrate its capability for accurate immune checkpoint detection in simulated patient serum samples at clinically-relevant levels. MICB provides a dynamic range of 5 to 200 pg mL-1 for PD-1 and PD-L1, and 50 to 1000 pg mL-1 for LAG-3 with a coefficient of variation <13.8%. Sensitive immune checkpoint detection was achieved with limits of detection values of 5 pg mL-1 for PD-1, 5 pg mL-1 for PD-L1, and 50 pg mL-1 for LAG-3. The multiplexing capability, sensitivity, and relative assay simplicity of MICB make it capable of serving as a bioanalytical tool for immune checkpoint therapy monitoring.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / blood*
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Armoracia / enzymology
  • B7-H1 Antigen / blood*
  • B7-H1 Antigen / immunology
  • Benzidines / chemistry
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Colorimetry / methods
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Horseradish Peroxidase / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
  • Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / blood*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Benzidines
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CD274 protein, human
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Horseradish Peroxidase
  • Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein