Rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by biolayer interferometry

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 10;10(1):21738. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78895-x.

Abstract

Serological testing to evaluate antigen-specific antibodies in plasma is generally performed by rapid lateral flow test strips that lack quantitative results or by high complexity immunoassays that are time- and labor-intensive but provide semi-quantitative results. Here, we describe a novel application of biolayer interferometry for the rapid detection of antigen-specific antibody levels in plasma samples, and demonstrate its utility for quantification of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Our biolayer interferometry immunosorbent assay (BLI-ISA) utilizes single-use biosensors in an automated "dip-and-read" format, providing real-time optical measurements of antigen loading, plasma antibody binding, and antibody isotype detection. Complete semi-quantitative results are obtained in less than 20 min. BLI-ISA meets or exceeds the performance of high complexity methods such as Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. Importantly, our method can be immediately implemented on existing BLI platforms for urgent COVID-19 studies, such as serosurveillance and the evaluation of vaccine candidates. In a broader sense, BLI-ISA can be developed as a novel diagnostic platform to evaluate antibodies and other biomolecules in clinical specimens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral* / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral* / immunology
  • COVID-19 Serological Testing*
  • COVID-19* / blood
  • COVID-19* / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Interferometry
  • SARS-CoV-2* / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2* / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral