Antibody immobilization onto glow discharge treated polymers

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Glow discharge treatment enhances polymer surface properties.
• Polymers treated with glow discharge exhibit strong retention of adsorbed proteins like albumin and fibrinogen.
• This protein retention phenomenon suggests potential for biomolecule immobilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate antibody immobilization on glow discharge treated polymer surfaces.
• To explore the use of glow discharge treated polymers for diagnostic immunoassay applications.
• To optimize antibody immobilization conditions and understand retention mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Bovine immunoglobulin G (IgG) was immobilized on various polymers, including polyethylene (PE) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and their glow discharge treated variants (e.g., TFE/PE, TFE/PET, E/PET, HMDS/PET).
• Immobilization was achieved via physical adsorption or chemical coupling of IgG to pre-adsorbed albumin using glutaraldehyde.
• Radiolabeled IgG (125I) was used, and elution studies with plasma, Tween-20, and SDS evaluated immobilization efficiency.

Main Results:

• Successful immobilization of IgG was achieved on glow discharge treated fluorocarbon polymer surfaces.
• Physical adsorption of IgG was more efficient for immobilization compared to the glutaraldehyde coupling method.
• Varying IgG concentration and adsorption times influenced immobilization efficiency and retention.

Conclusions:

• Glow discharge treated polymers, particularly fluorocarbon variants, are suitable substrates for antibody immobilization.
• Physical adsorption is a more efficient method for immobilizing antibodies on these surfaces for immunoassay development.
• The findings support the use of glow discharge treated polymers in developing advanced diagnostic immunoassays.