Impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of circulating pro-inflammatory monocytes as infection markers

Armelle Montrose1, Sébastien Cargou, Françoise Nepveu

  • 1Université de Toulouse; UPS; UMR 152 Pharma-Dev; Université Toulouse 3, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, F-31062 Toulouse cedex 09, France.

Insights

This study developed an immunosensor for detecting classical and proinflammatory monocytes, key immune cells. The device uses specific antibodies for selective cell trapping, offering a quantitative indicator for infectious diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Immunology
  • Biosensors

Background:

  • Circulating monocytes are crucial for pathogen defense and inflammation.
  • Monocyte populations (CD 14++ CD 16- classical, CD 14- CD 16+ proinflammatory) differ in disease states.
  • Increased proinflammatory monocytes indicate infection or inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an immunosensor for specific trapping of classical and proinflammatory monocytes.
  • To utilize impedance detection for sensitive and selective cell identification.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of an immunosensor using mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and Protein G.
  • Grafting of CD 14 or CD 16 antibodies for specific monocyte capture.
  • Characterization via electrochemical methods, quartz crystal microbalance, and atomic force microscopy.
  • Evaluation of cell trapping using non-Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Main Results:

  • Successful functionalization with 92% antibody layer surface coverage.
  • Confirmation of antibody layer integrity and mass increase through electrochemical analysis.
  • Demonstrated selective and quantitative cell trapping of monocytes.
  • Established a detection range of 1000 to 30,000 cells, suitable for diagnostic applications.

Conclusions:

  • The developed immunosensor enables selective and quantitative detection of classical and proinflammatory monocytes.
  • Impedance-based detection provides a viable method for identifying immune cell populations.
  • This technology shows potential as a diagnostic tool for infectious and inflammatory conditions.

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