Modeling of immunosensors under nonequilibrium conditions. I. Mathematic modeling of performance characteristics.

Immunosensors for the detection of small analytes that use analyte-enzyme conjugates as signal generators require special attention if operated under nonequilibrium conditions. If the size of the analyte and the analyte-enzyme conjugate differ substantially, the two antigens do not diffuse at the same rate. This can cause time-dependent shifts in the sensitivity of competitive immunoassays. Therefore, immunosensors operating at short incubation times require precise timing that meets closely the specifications for which the sensors were calibrated. As an example, we have analyzed kinetic binding curves for the quantitative determination of progesterone with an immobilized monoclonal antibody and a conjugate between horseradish peroxidase and progesterone as signal generator. Mathematical paradigms have been developed to simulate the diffusion, antigen-antibody complex formation, and competitive binding processes in this analytical system. Dose-response curves obtained under nonequilibrium conditions can vary substantially from those obtained at equilibrium of antigen-antibody interaction. The degree of this variation depends on the performance characteristics of the major components of the immunosensor. The developed mathematical solutions reflect experimental results and can be used to model optimal conditions for immunosensors operating under nonequilibrium conditions. In this paper (Part I), we report on the mathematical modeling of the interaction between analyte, analyte-enzyme conjugate, and an immobilized antibody. In Part II (W. Schramm and S.-H. Paek (1991) Anal. Biochem. 196), we present experimental results and compare them with the theoretical models.     

Irreversible enzyme-shuttle immunoassay

The concept of a competitive enzyme immunoassay that utilizes simultaneously the bound and the free analyte-enzyme conjugate (heterobifunctional conjugate) for signal generation in response to varying analyte concentrations in samples has been investigated. Two antigenic sites of the heterobifunctional conjugate are used in the assay for binding to immunoglobulins: the analyte derivative binds to an immobilized antibody, Ab(1), and the enzyme component binds to a spatially separated immobilized antibody, Ab(2). The analytical system is set up such that in the absence of analyte, the conjugate is predominantly bound in the compartment that contains Ab(1). With increasing concentration of native analyte in samples, an increasing concentration of native analyte in samples, an increasing amount of conjugate migrates to the second compartment that contains Ab(2). The enzyme bound in each compartment is used for signal generation. Mathematical models have been developed to determine the optimal conditions and to predict the performance of such dual-antibody systems. The theoretical predictions are supported by experimental results. The dual-antibody system has been compared with a conventional competitive enzyme immunoassay using the same reagents.     

Continuous monitoring of analyte concentrations.

We have investigated the application of a modified, heterogeneous, competitive enzyme immunoassay for the continuous measurement of small analytes in a medium stream. The analytical system contains two antibodies that are immobilized on spatially separated areas, one binding the analyte (Ab1) and the other binding the enzyme (Ab2). An analyte-enzyme conjugate serves as signal generator. The analyte-enzyme conjugate functions as a heterobifunctional shuttle that can bind to either antibody. A semipermeable membrane retains the enzyme shuttle in the internal volume of the sensor but permits the passage of small analytes from the medium stream. The amount of enzyme bound to Ab1 is inversely proportional and the amount of enzyme bound to Ab2 is directly proportional to the analyte concentration. We have demonstrated that this analytical system (1) can provide a larger total signal; (2) has a sensitivity comparable with conventional competitive immunoassays; (3) does not require the separation of bound from free antigens; and (4) is therefore suitable for the continuous measurement of analytes in a medium stream. With a model system, an increase from 0 ng ml-1 to 20 ng ml-1 of the steroid hormone progesterone and the subsequent fall to 0 ng ml-1 could be monitored.     

Antibody-antigen complex formation with immobilized immunoglobulins.

We have investigated the complex formation between an immobilized monoclonal antibody and antigens that differ in size about 50-fold. As a model system, we used an iodinated progesterone derivative and a progesterone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate as tracer and a monoclonal antibody as binding protein. The antibody was immobilized by four different methods: physical adsorption, chemical binding, and binding via protein G in the absence or presence of a protective protein (gelatin). These investigations have shown that the performance of competitive immunoassays is determined by a combination of factors: (a) the relative size of the analyte and the tracer, (b) the antibody density on the solid matrix, (c) the method of immobilization of the antibody, and (d) the binding constants between antibody-analyte and antibody-tracer. All of these interactions have to be considered in designing an optimal immunoassay. The smaller antigen can form a 3- to 35-fold higher maximal complex density than the larger antigen. Dose-response curves are less affected by the size of the tracer than by the binding constant with the antibody. A large enzyme tracer with a relatively low binding constant can, therefore, provide a more sensitive assay. On the other hand, the increase in complex density achieved with a smaller tracer yields a higher signal that in turn can provide a better signal-to-noise ratio in highly sensitive competitive solid-phase immunoassays. We have suggested a model for antibody immobilization that accounts for the interdependence of tracer size, complex formation, and antibody density. The methods described can be used to design and optimize immunoassays of predefined performance characteristics. The results are particularly useful for converting radioimmunoassays to enzyme immunoassays.     

Semiquantitative, bar code version of immunochromatographic assay system for human serum albumin as model analyte.

An immunochromatographic assay system was devised that can express the concentration ranges of analyte (e.g., urinary human serum albumin) as distinct numbers of the ladder bar (bar coding) for semiquantitation. We constructed a model system consisting of five membrane pad strips partially superimposed in a length. Upon wicking of sample from the bottom, the medium dissolved two different biotinylated species, antibody to the analyte and conjugates of the antibody with colloidal gold, and antigen-antibody reactions took place in the hollow space of the glass fiber membrane. After eliminating unreacted biotinylated molecules at the next strip with an immobilized albumin, the immune complexes were transferred to the pad with streptavidin immobilized in a ladder bar pattern. Analytical conditions here were set for competition between the two biotinylated species for the streptavidin binding sites. The degree of such competition was proportional to the analyte concentration and, consequently, the bar signal number was elevated as the concentration increased. Under optimal conditions for sensitivity, the analytical system responded to the analyte doses at between 30 and 120 mg/dL by producing different bar codes within 5 min.     

Performance characteristics of a reversible immunosensor with a heterobifunctional enzyme conjugate as signal generator

Factors that control the performance of a reversible immunosensor with an analyte (progesterone)-enzyme (horseradish peroxidase) conjugate as signal generator have been investigated. The conjugate is used in conjunction with two antibodies, which are specific to progesterone and to horseradish peroxidase, immobilized on two spatially separated polypropylene mesh discs. The conjugate and two antibodies are confined to an internal compartment of a microdialyzer by a semipermeable membrane. The small analyte from an external medium permeates across the membrane into the internal compartment where the analyte concentration determines the relative amounts of the bound conjugate on the two solid surfaces. By measuring two signals from the conjugate bound at two separate sites, we experimentally obtained time-response curves to a concentration pulse of the external analyte. A mathematical (kinetic) model describing the sensor system was developed and used for the determination of rate-limiting factors. In semicontinuous monitoring of the analyte concentrations, operation of the immunosensor with the enzyme conjugate as signal generator required special attention to (a) enzyme stability, (b) analyte permeation (dependence on medium components), and (c) kinetics related to the different accessibility to the same antibody of the small analyte (to be measured) vs. the larger counterpart on the enzyme conjugate (for signal generation). (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 56: 221-231, 1997.     

Highly sensitive and selective surface plasmon resonance sensor for detection of sub-ppb levels of benzo[a]pyrene by indirect competitive immunoreaction method

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-immunosensor for detection of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is developed by using a model BaP-hapten compound, BaP-bovine serum albumin conjugate (BaP-BSA), and an anti-BaP-BSA monoclonal antibody. BaP-BSA conjugate is immobilized on a gold thin-film sensor chip by means of simple physical adsorption. The number of BaP-hapten units in BaP-BSA conjugate is estimated to be 28 from the difference in molecular weight (MW) between BaP-BSA conjugate and BSA based on the results of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) measurement. Anti-BaP-BSA antibody on contact with the BaP-BSA conjugate immobilized sensor chip causes an increase in the incident angle of the sensor chip. Binding of anti-BaP-BSA antibody with surface-immobilized BaP-BSA conjugate is inhibited by the presence of BaP in analyte solution, because of the inhibition effect of BaP. The SPR immunosensor for BaP functioning with the indirect competitive immunoreaction of anti-BaP-BSA antibody between the analyte (BaP) in testing solution and the BaP-BSA conjugate immobilized on the sensor chip provides a rapid determination (response time: ca. 15 min) of BaP in the concentration range of 0.01-1000 ppb. The antibody anchored to the sensor chip by antigen-antibody binding is removed on treatment with a pepsin solution (pH 2.0) for few minutes. The SPR sensor chip is found to be reusable for more than 20 times with a little decrease (<7%) in the sensor response. Detection of BaP by direct competitive immunoreactions is also carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentration of BaP could be determined as low as 0.01 ppb and 2 ppb using the SPR sensor and the ELISA method, respectively. The SPR sensor is found to detect BaP selectively in the presence of 2-hydroxybiphenyl (HBP); the incident angle shift of the SPR sensor for BaP is found to be same irrespective to the presence or the absence of a same concentration (as much as 30 ppb) of HBP together.     

Enzyme-amplified rate conductimetric immunoassay

A new immunoassay technique based on measurement of conductance changes in solutions is described. The assay employs an immobilized monoclonal antibody to capture a protein analyte along with a second antibody to the same analyte, conjugated to an enzyme capable of producing ions which are measured conductimetrically. Urease was selected as the enzyme, because it produces, from urea, four ions for each catalytic event. The analyte studied was human chorionic gonadotropin in serum. Higher concentrations of analyte during incubation with immobilized antibody and antibody-urease conjugate led to increased binding of the latter. After removal of unbound conjugate, urea solution was added and the rate of conductance change measured in the bulk substrate solution. Experiments, performed in polystyrene microtiter wells using a specially designed electrode, demonstrated the ability to measure 30 picomolar concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin with a 30-s rate measurement. Urease proved to be an excellent labeling enzyme, retaining its activity under the nonionic conditions necessary to maintain low background conductance. Good agreement was obtained between observed rates and those expected from conductimetric theory and known physical parameters. The potential utility of the conductimetric immunoassay lies in the fabrication of biosensor devices for simplification and cost reduction of immunochemical-based instrumentation. Further improvements to the technique are proposed to achieve lower detection limits.     

A highly sensitive flow-through amperometric immunosensor based on the Peroxidase chip and enzyme-channeling principle

A concept based on the Peroxidase-chip (P-chip), antibody co-immobilization, competitive and enzyme-channeling principle was exploited to develop an integrated flow-through amperometric biosensor for detection of environmental pollutants such as s-triazine herbicides. In this concept, recombinant peroxidase is immobilized on the gold electrode (P-chip) in such a way that direct electron transfer is achieved. The recognition and quantitation the target analyte is realized through the competition between the simazine-glucose oxidase (GOD) conjugate and free simazine for the binding sites of the monoclonal antibody co-immobilized with peroxidase on the gold electrode. The arrangement allows to generate a specific signal in the presence of glucose through the channeling of H2O2 produced by GOD conjugate bound to the antibody. The immunosensor exhibited 50% signal decrease (IC50 value) at approximately 0.02 microg l(-1). A concentration of 0.1 ng l(-1) gave a signal clearly distinguishable from the blank whereas the ELISA using the same antibody had a typical detection limit of about 1 microg l(-1), which is four orders of magnitude higher compared to the presented biosensor system. The results demonstrated that gene engineering biomolecules, in this case recombinant peroxidase, might be attractive reagents for the development of electrochemical immunosensors.     

Development of rapid one-step immunochromatographic assay

An analytical system for a one-step immunoassay has been constructed using the concept of immunochromatography. The system employed two different antibodies that bound distinct epitopes of an analyte molecule: an antibody labeled with a signal generator (e.g., colloidal gold), which was placed in the dry state at a predetermined site on a glass-fiber membrane, and another antibody immobilized on the surface of a nitrocellulose membrane. Three membranes, one with the tracer, one with immobilized antibody, and a cellulose membrane as the absorbent of medium (in a sequence from the bottom), were attached to a plastic film and cut into strips. Aqueous medium containing analyte absorbed from the bottom end of the immunostrip dissolved the labeled antibody, and the antigen-antibody binding complex formed was transported into the next nitrocellulose membrane by the flow caused by capillary action. The complex subsequently reacted with the immobilized antibody, which generated a signal in proportion to the analyte concentration. The convective mass transfer of the immunoreactant to the binding partner allowed the assay to be performed with no handling of reagents. The reaction, however, was carried out under nonequilibrium conditions, which resulted in decreased sensitivity as compared with assays performed in an equilibrium mode (e.g., ELISA). To minimize such sacrifice, major factors that control system performance were identified and the system was then devised under optimal conditions.     

Evaluation of a high-affinity QCM immunosensor using antibody fragmentation and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer

This study evaluated construction of a highly affinitive quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor using anti-C-reactive protein (CRP) antibody and its fragments for CRP detection. Three types of antibody were immobilized on the surface of a QCM via covalent-bounding. Then affinity was evaluated through antigen-antibody binding between CRP and its antibody. Affinity between antigen-antibody was shown to be highest when anti-CRP F(ab')2-IgG antibody (70 microg/mL) was immobilized on the QCM. In case of anti-CRP F(ab')2-IgG antibody, affinity which was attributable to antigen-antibody binding was almost twice that of anti-CRP IgG antibody, which is used conventionally for QCM immunosensors. In addition, when it was treated with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate, so-called MPC polymer, highly affinitive and selective immunosensing for CRP was achieved without non-specific binding from plasma proteins in human serum. When anti-CRP F(ab')2-IgG antibody was immobilized on the QCM, the detection limit and the linearity of CRP calibration curve were achieved at concentrations from 0.001 to 100 microg/dL even during investigation in serum samples. Experimental results verified the successful construction of a highly affinitive and selective QCM-immunosensor which was modified with anti-CRP F(ab')2-IgG antibody and MPC polymer.     

A comparative study of protein immobilization techniques for optical immunosensors.

This paper presents the results of a study of a number of antibody immobilization techniques for application to optical immunosensors. In particular, well-known methods such as covalent binding and physical adsorption have been extended to the Langmiur-Blodgett method in an attempt to improve the density and possibly the uniformity of orientation of monoclonal antibodies on an optical surface. The surface density of active immobilized antibodies was determined from enzyme immunoassay and their thickness and refractive index were deduced from ellipsometry. It is shown that, although high surface densities (500 ng/cm2) of antibody can be obtained, the major obstacle to the detection of low concentrations of antigens or haptens is the non-specific binding of foreign molecules to the sensing surface.     

Bioelectrocatalytic signaling from immunosensors with back-filling immobilization of glucose oxidase on biorecognition surfaces

We report a novel method of electrochemical signaling from antigen-antibody interactions at immunoelectrodes with bioelectrocatalyzed enzymatic signal amplification. For the immunosensing surface construction, a poly(amidoamine) G4-dendrimer was employed not only as a building block for the electrode surface modification but also as a matrix for ligand functionalization. As a model biorecognition reaction, the dinitrophenyl (DNP) antigen-functionalized electrode was fabricated and an anti-DNP antibody was used. Glucose oxidase (GOX) was chosen to amplify electrochemical signal by enzymatic catalysis. The signal amplification strategy introduced in this study is based on the back-filling immobilization of biocatalytic enzyme to the immunosensor surface, circumventing the use of an enzyme-labeled antibody. The non-labeled native antibody was biospecifically bound to the immobilized ligand, and the activated enzyme (periodate-treated GOX) reacted and "back-filled" the remaining surface amine groups on the dendrimer layer by an imine formation reaction. From the bioelectrocatalyzed signal registration with the immobilized GOX, the surface density of biospecifically bound antibody could be estimated. The DNP functionalization reaction was optimized to facilitate the antibody recognition and signaling reactions, and approximately 6% displacement of surface amine to DNP was found to be an optimum. From quartz crystal microbalance measurement, immunosensing reaction timing and the surface inertness to the nonspecific biomolecular binding were tested. By changing the surface functionalization level of DNP in the calibration experiments, immunosensors exhibited different dynamic detection ranges and limits of detection, supporting the capability of parameters modulation for the immunosensors. For the anti-DNP antibody assay, the fabricated immunosensor having 65% functionalization ratio exhibited the linear detection range of 10(-4) to 0.1 g/L protein and a limit of detection around 2 x 10(-5) g/L.     

Immunosensors for pesticide analysis: antibody production and sensor development

Immunosensors, a type of affinity biosensor, are based on the binding interactions between an immobilized biomolecule (antibody/antigen) on the electronic transducer surface with the analyte of interest (antigen/antibody), resulting in a detectable signal. The sensor system takes advantage of the high selectivity provided by the molecular recognition characteristic of an antibody, which binds reversibly with a specific antigen. This review article presents the current status of immunosensors, highlighting their potential benefits and limitations for pesticide analysis. The basic criteria for generating specific antibodies against low-molecular-mass pesticides, which are usually nonimmunogenic in nature, are briefly discussed. The article also describes the fundamentals of important transducer technologies and their use in immunosensor development.     

Disposable amperometric immunosensor system for rabbit IgG using a conducting polymer modified screen-printed electrode

A disposable and mediatorless immunosensor based on a conducting polymer (5,2':5'2"-terthiophene-3'-carboxylic acid) coated screen-printed carbon electrode has been developed using a separation-free homogeneous technique for the detection of rabbit IgG as a model analyte. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and streptavidin were covalently bonded with the polymer on the electrode and biotinylated antibody was immobilized on the electrode surface using avidin-biotin coupling. This sensor was based on the competitive assay between free and labeled antigen for the available binding sites of antibody. Glucose oxidase was used as a label and in the presence of glucose, H(2)O(2) formed by the analyte-enzyme conjugate was reduced by the enzyme channeling via HRP bonded on the electrode. The catalytic current was monitored amperometrically at -0.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl and this method showed a linear range of RIgG concentrations from 0.5 to 2 microg/ml with standard deviation +/-0.0145 (n=4). Detection limit was determined to be 0.33 microg/ml.     

Determination of bradykinin in rat urine by coupled-column high pressure liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization with a water-soluble fluorogenic reagent

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its mutants have been extensively used to study various cellular processes and, more recently, as labels in binding assays. We have employed a mutant of GFP, an enhanced GFP (EGFP), in the development of homogeneous assays for biotin and cortisol. To demonstrate the feasibility of using EGFP as a label with different kinds of binders in the development of homogeneous assays, we employed the biotin-avidin and an antigen-antibody as the binding pairs. Biotin and cortisol were chemically conjugated to EGFP. A quenching of fluorescence intensity of EGFP was observed upon binding of avidin to the EGFP-biotin conjugate. The percentage fluorescence quenching observed decreased as the concentration of free biotin in the sample increased due to the fewer binding sites on avidin available for binding to the EGFP-biotin conjugate. A dose-response curve for biotin was generated by relating percentage fluorescence quenched with free biotin in the sample. To determine whether EGFP can undergo a similar type of homogeneous change when used as a label for antigen-antibody type of binding, cortisol was selected as a model analyte. In the presence of an anti-cortisol antibody the fluorescence signal of the EGFP-cortisol conjugate was quenched. A dose-response curve for cortisol was generated by relating the quenching in the fluorescence signal with varying amounts of free cortisol in the sample. This is the first time that GFP or one of its mutants has been employed as a label in homogeneous assays, thus enhancing the versatility of employing GFP or its mutants in a number of bioanalytical applications, such as clinical analysis and high-throughput screening systems.     

Site-directed immobilization of antibody onto solid surfaces for the construction of immunochip

The performance of an immuno-analytical system can be assessed in terms of its analytical sensitivity,i.e., the detection limit of an analyte, which is determined by the amount of analyte molecules bound to the capture antibody that has been immobilized onto a solid surface. To increase the number of the binding complexes, we have investigated a site-directed immobilization of an antibody that has the ability to resolve a current problem associated with a random arrangement of the insolubilized immunoglobulin. The binding molecules were chemically reduced to produce thiol groups that were limited at the hinge region, and then, the reduced products were coupled to biotin. This biotinylated antibody was bound to a streptavidincoated surface via the streptavidin-biotin reaction. This method can control the orientation of the antibody molecules present on a solid surface and also can significantly reduce the possibility of steric hindrance in the antigen-antibody reactions. In a two-site immunoassay, the introduction of the site-directly immobilized antibody as the capture enhanced the sensitivity of analyte detection approximately 10 times compared to that of the antibody randomly coupled to biotin. Such a novel approach would offer a protocol of antibody immobilization in order for the possibility of constructing a high performance immunochip.     

Immunosensor for the diagnosis of Chagas' disease

Trypanosoma cruzi proteins from epimastigote membranes, herein referred as antigens, have been used for the construction of an amperometric immunosensor for serological diagnosis of Chagas' disease. The proteins used had a molecular mass ranging from 30 to 100 kDa. The gold electrode was treated with cysteamine and glutaraldehyde prior to antigen immobilization. Antibodies present in the serum of patients with Chagas' disease were captured by the immobilized antigens and the affinity interaction was monitored by chronoamperometry at a potential of -400 mV (versus Ag pseudo-reference electrode) using peroxidase-labeled IgG conjugate and hydrogen peroxide, iodide substrate. The incubation time to allow maximum antigen-antibody and antibody-peroxidase-labeled IgG interactions was 20 min with a reactivity threshold at -0.104 microA.     

Determination of rate constants of antigen-antibody reaction. A theory

A new method of determination of rate constants for antigen-antibody interactions is proposed. This method is based on a solid phase immunoenzymatic analysis of the dynamics of elution of immobilized antigen-bound antibodies in the presence of a free antigen. The kinetics of this process is described by a system of differential equations, whose solution results in expression defining the dynamics of antibody interaction with immobilized and free antigens. Simple formulas were derived for the calculation of the rate and equilibrium constants for the antibody-antigen reaction on the basis of experimental kinetic curves. The use of theoretical kinetic curves for antibody elution showed that these formulas reflect with a high degree of accuracy the kinetic properties of the reaction under study.     

Immunosensors for Pesticide Analysis: Antibody Production and Sensor Development

ABSTRACT:?

Immunosensors, a type of affinity biosensor, are based on the binding interactions between an immobilized biomolecule (antibody/antigen) on the electronic transducer surface with the analyte of interest (antigen/antibody), resulting in a detectable signal. The sensor system takes advantage of the high selectivity provided by the molecular recognition characteristic of an antibody, which binds reversibly with a specific antigen.

This review article presents the current status of immunosensors, highlighting their potential benefits and limitations for pesticide analysis. The basic criteria for generating specific antibodies against low-molecular-mass pesticides, which are usually nonimmunogenic in nature, are briefly discussed. The article also describes the fundamentals of important transducer technologies and their use in immunosensor development.