Serological Electrodetection of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Mimetic Peptide

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory autoimmune disease in the world. Recently new targets for its detection were developed as alternatives to classic biomarkers, including the M-12 peptide, that mimics carbonic anhydrase III. Thus, the application of this peptide for the development of new detection devices is attractive.

Our goal was to construct a modified electrode for immobilization of M-12 peptide and detection of a rheumatoid arthritis biomarker in serum of patients.

3-Hydroxybenzoic acid was electropolymerized onto graphite electrodes, and M-12 peptide was immobilized by adsorption. Negative and positive serum samples for rheumatoid arthritis were diluted and applied onto the electrode. Detection was carried in potassium ferrocyanide/ ferricyanide solution by differential pulse voltammetry. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate electrode surfaces.

Cyclic voltammograms indicated the poly(3-hydroxybenzoic acid) formation and increase of electroactive area. Immobilization of M-12 probe increased current by 1.2 times, and negative serum addition caused no suitable difference. However, positive serum showed expressive decrease in the current signal of about 2.2 times, possibly due to steric hindrance when the anti-CA3 antibody interacts with the M-12 peptide, decreasing the electron transfer. Microscopies images corroborated with the electrochemical detection, showing evident changes in the morphology of the electrode surfaces.

The bioelectrode was able to discriminate positive and negative serum samples of rheumatoid arthritis by a considerable decrease in the current signal value. Morphological analyses supported the electrochemical results. Thus, the constructed bioelectrode offers a new platform for detection of rheumatoid arthritis.