Co(III)-NTA Mediated Antigen Immobilization on a Fiber Optic-SPR Biosensor for Detection of Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Diseases: Application in Immune-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Anal Chem. 2020 Oct 20;92(20):13880-13887. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02586. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Abstract

Autoantibodies are key biomarkers in clinical diagnosis of autoimmune diseases routinely detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). However, the complexity of these assays is limiting their use in routine diagnostics. Fiber optic-surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) can overcome these limitations, but improved surface chemistries are still needed to guarantee detection of autoantibodies in complex matrices. In this paper, we describe the development of an FO-SPR immunoassay for the detection of autoantibodies in plasma samples from immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) patients. Hereto, hexahistidine-tagged recombinant ADAMTS13 (rADAMTS13-His6) was immobilized on nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-coated FO probes chelated by cobalt (Co(III)) and exposed to anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Initial studies were performed to optimize rADAMTS13-His6 immobilization and to confirm the specificity of the immunoassay for detection of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies with FO-SPR. The performance of the immunoassay was then evaluated by comparing Co(III)- and nickel (Ni(II))-NTA stabilized surfaces, confirming the stable immobilization of the antigen in Co(III)-NTA-functionalized FO probes. A calibration curve was prepared with a dilution series of a cloned human anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibody in ADAMTS13-depleted plasma resulting in an average interassay coefficient of variation of 7.1% and a limit of detection of 0.24 ng/mL. Finally, the FO-SPR immunoassay was validated using seven iTTP patient plasma samples, resulting in an excellent correlation with an in-house-developed ELISA (r = 0.973). In summary, the specificity and high sensitivity in combination with a short time-to-result (2.5 h compared to 4-5 h for a regular ELISA) make the FO-SPR immunoassay a powerful assay for routine diagnosis of iTTP and with extension for any other autoimmune disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAMTS13 Protein / chemistry
  • ADAMTS13 Protein / genetics
  • ADAMTS13 Protein / metabolism
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Histidine / genetics
  • Histidine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immobilized Proteins / chemistry
  • Immobilized Proteins / immunology
  • Immunoassay
  • Limit of Detection
  • Nitrilotriacetic Acid / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / genetics
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / diagnosis
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • His-His-His-His-His-His
  • Immobilized Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Histidine
  • Copper
  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • ADAMTS13 protein, human
  • Nitrilotriacetic Acid