Paper-based electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of symmetric dimethylarginine

Nadine Wenninger; Sudkate Chaiyo; Alexander Kollau; Kurt Kalcher; Astrid Ortner

doi:10.1016/j.bios.2023.115481

Paper-based electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of symmetric dimethylarginine

Biosens Bioelectron. 2023 Oct 1:237:115481. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115481. Epub 2023 Jun 23.

Authors

Nadine Wenninger¹, Sudkate Chaiyo², Alexander Kollau³, Kurt Kalcher⁴, Astrid Ortner⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, Graz, 8010, Austria.
² Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
³ Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 46/I, Graz, 8010, Austria.
⁴ Institute of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, Graz, 8010, Austria.
⁵ Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, Graz, 8010, Austria. Electronic address: astrid.ortner@uni-graz.at.

PMID: 37379792
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115481

Abstract

In this work, we present the development of an immunosensor for the direct, selective, and sensitive determination of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in urine, in view of the emerging role of this molecule as a biomarker for renal disease. SDMA is almost completely excreted by the kidneys, hence in renal dysfunction, the excretion is decreased, resulting in accumulation in plasma. Reference values for plasma or serum have already been established in small animal practice. Values < 15 μg/dL are considered normal, 15-19 μg/dL are values of concern, and at values > 20 μg/dL kidney disease is likely. The proposed electrochemical paper-based sensing platform uses anti-SDMA antibodies for targeted detection of SDMA. Quantification is related to a decrease in the signal of a redox indicator due to the formation of an immunocomplex that interferes with electron transfer. Square wave voltammetry measurements showed a linear correlation of the peak decline for 50 nM - 1 μM SDMA with a detection limit of 15 nM. The influence of common physiological interferences caused no significant peak reduction, indicating excellent selectivity. The proposed immunosensor was successfully applied for the quantification of SDMA in human urine of healthy individuals. Surveillance of SDMA concentration in urine could prove to be very valuable in the diagnosis or monitoring of renal disease.

Keywords: Antibody; Biosensor; Graphene; Kidney disease; Square wave voltammetry.