Development of a Strategy Based on the Surface Plasmon Resonance Technology for Platelet Compatibility Testing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Immunology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Platelet compatibility testing is crucial for safe blood transfusions.
• Current methods for detecting platelet antibodies can be complex and time-consuming.
• A need exists for a more sensitive and efficient diagnostic tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor for platelet compatibility testing.
• To create a new biosensor surface platform using poly (OEGMA-co-HEMA) for enhanced platelet antibody detection.
• To evaluate the performance of the SPR biosensor compared to the established MAIPA assay.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a novel biosensor surface using surface-initiated polymerization of poly (OEGMA-co-HEMA).
• Immobilization of platelets onto the biosensor surface via amine-coupling reaction.
• Real-time monitoring of antibody binding using SPR technology in a microfluidic channel.
• Assay of clinical serum samples (n=186) and comparison with the MAIPA assay.

Main Results:

• The novel biosensor surface demonstrated excellent nonfouling properties, high immobilization capacity, and stability.
• The SPR biosensor achieved a limit of detection of 50 ng/mL for platelet antibodies.
• High sensitivity (92%) and specificity (98.7%) were observed, with results comparable to the MAIPA assay.
• Direct detection of platelet antibodies in serum samples was successful.

Conclusions:

• A novel SPR-based biosensor strategy enables sensitive and reliable platelet compatibility testing.
• The developed biosensor, utilizing advanced surface chemistry, shows significant promise for clinical application in transfusion medicine.
• This SPR biosensor offers a potentially faster and more accurate method for identifying anti-platelet antibodies.