Label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on gold nanoparticle/polyethyleneimine/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for the ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarker matrix metalloproteinase-1

Analyst. 2021 Jun 14;146(12):4066-4079. doi: 10.1039/d1an00537e.

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is associated with many types of cancers, including oral, colorectal, and brain cancers. This paper describes the fabrication of an MMP-1 immunosensor based on a gold nanoparticle/polyethyleneimine/reduced graphene oxide (AuNP/PEI/rGO)-modified disposable screen-printed electrode (SPE). A microwave-assisted single-step method was employed for the simultaneous reduction of gold and graphene oxide in a PEI environment to avoid AuNP agglomeration. The crystal structure, chemical composition, optical properties, and interior morphology of the materials were probed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. To assemble a label-free MMP-1 immunosensor layer-by-layer, 3-mercaptopropionic acid was utilized due to its strong sulfur-gold bonding ability, and its tail end was attached to a carboxyl group, allowing the MMP-1 antibody (anti-MMP-1) to be subsequently cross-linked using the traditional N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) and N' ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride method. Differential pulse voltammetry analysis showed a linear relationship with MMP-1 concentration in the range of 1-50 ng ml-1 with an R2 value of ∼0.996 (n = 5, RSD < 5%). This immunosensor was successfully applied for MMP-1 detection in urine, saliva, bovine serum, and cell culture media (HSC-3 & C6) of oral and brain cancers showing results comparable to those of the credible ELISA method.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Cattle
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Electrodes
  • Gold
  • Graphite*
  • Immunoassay
  • Limit of Detection
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Nanocomposites*
  • Neoplasms*
  • Polyethyleneimine

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • graphene oxide
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1