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A liquid crystal–based biosensor for sensitive detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

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Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine secreted by the macrophages and Th1 cells of the immune system in response to inflammation. Given its significance as a biomarker with elevated levels in physiological fluids in various conditions, there is an increasing demand for a simple and accurate TNF-α detection strategy. In this article, we present a liquid crystal (LC)–based biosensor developed for sensitive TNF-α detection. The biosensor operates as follows: TNF-α and detection antibodies (DAbs) form complexes during preincubation. These complexes then bind with the surface-immobilized capture antibodies (CAbs), facilitating the antigen–antibody reaction between the CAbs and the TNF-α/DAb complexes. This target recognition interaction alters the surface topography, disrupting the vertical orientation of LCs produced by dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl]ammonium chloride. The orientational change in the LCs can be easily visualized with a polarized optical microscope, resulting in brighter images as TNF-α levels rise. Our results demonstrated a linear range of 5.00–500 pg/mL, with a limit of detection and limit of quantification being 1.08 and 3.56 pg/mL, respectively. Recovery experiments on diluted saliva samples produced reasonable results, with TNF-α recoveries ranging from 97.1% ± 2.58% to 107% ± 5.95%.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Ministry of Education (NRF-2019R1A2C1003862), and the Gachon University research fund of 2021 (GCU-202110460001).

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-daero 1342, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13120, Republic of Korea

    Je-Jin Ryu & Chang-Hyun Jang

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Ryu, JJ., Jang, CH. A liquid crystal–based biosensor for sensitive detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Microchim Acta 191, 55 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-06125-y

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