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A nanoplatform-based aptasensor to electrochemically detect epinephrine produced by living cells

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Abstract

A novel aptasensor has been designed for quantitative monitoring of epinephrine (EP) based on cerium metal–organic framework (CeMOF) loaded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The aptamer, specific to EP, is immobilized on a flexible screen-printed electrode modified with AuNPs@CeMOF, enabling highly selective binding to the target biomolecule. Under optimized operational conditions, the peak currents using voltammetric detection measured at voltage of 83 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) for epinephrine exhibit a linear increase within concentration in the range 1 pM–10 nM. Following this detection strategy, a boasted limit of detection of 0.3 pM was achieved, surpassing the sensitivity of most reported methods. The developed biosensor showcased exceptional performance in detection of EP in spiked serum sample, with remarkable recovery range of  95.8–113% and precision reflected by low relative standard deviation (RSD) ranging from 2.23 to 6.19%. These results indicate the potential utility of this biosensor as a valuable clinical diagnostic tool. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were carried out using the presented biosensor to monitor the release of epinephrine from PC12 cells upon extracellular stimulation with K+ ions.

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Data will be made available on request.

Change history

  • 24 September 2023

    Missing Supplementary Information has been added.

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Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge funding support from Westlake University, grant number 10318A992001; Leading Innovative and Entrepreneur Team Introduction Program of Zhejiang, grant number 2020R01005; and Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, grant number 210230006022219/001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310030, China

    Zina Fredj, Pengbo Wang, Fateh Ullah & Mohamad Sawan

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  1. Zina Fredj
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  2. Pengbo Wang
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  3. Fateh Ullah
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  4. Mohamad Sawan
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Correspondence to Mohamad Sawan.

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Highlights

• A novel sensing platform design based on cerium metal–organic framework (CeMOF) coupled with AuNPs and specific aptamer for electrochemical sensing of epinephrine (EP).

• High specificity for EP when compared to common interfering species.

• Enhanced response for the epinephrine within an interesting limit of detection down to 0.3 pM.

• Accurate quantification of epinephrine levels in human serum samples and within living cells.

• Good recovery levels ranged between 95.8 and 113% in diluted healthy human serum.

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Fredj, Z., Wang, P., Ullah, F. et al. A nanoplatform-based aptasensor to electrochemically detect epinephrine produced by living cells. Microchim Acta 190, 343 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-05902-z

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