Nanoimmunosensor based on atomic force spectroscopy to detect anti-myelin basic protein related to early-stage
Pâmela Soto Garcia1, Doralina Guimarães Brum2, Osvaldo N Oliveira3
1Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Nanoneurobiophysics Research Group, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, São Paulo 18052780, Brazil; Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, 05403-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ultramicroscopy
|February 7, 2020
Summary
A novel nanoimmunosensor detects autoantibodies against myelin basic protein peptides in cerebrospinal fluid. This tool shows promise for identifying early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system inflammatory disorder with unknown diagnostic biomarkers.
- Myelin basic protein (MBP) and its autoantibodies are potential MS biomarkers.
- Current diagnostic methods for MS can be invasive or lack specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a nanoimmunosensor for detecting autoantibodies against the MBP85-99 peptide.
- To assess the sensor's ability to differentiate between early-stage MS patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate the molecular interactions using atomic force spectroscopy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a nanoimmunosensor using an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip functionalized with MBP85-99 peptide.
- Interaction studies with a mica surface coated with anti-MBP85-99 (positive control) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from MS patients and non-MS subjects.
- Measurement of adhesion forces using atomic force spectroscopy (AFS) to quantify antibody concentration.
Main Results:
- The nanoimmunosensor detected high concentrations of anti-MBP85-99 autoantibodies in early-stage relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, comparable to the positive control.
- Lower adhesion forces were observed in non-MS subjects and MS patients with a longer disease history or under treatment.
- AFS-measured adhesion forces align with steered molecular dynamics estimations.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanoimmunosensor is a potential tool for early MS detection.
- This method may aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MS.
- Further validation with larger patient cohorts is warranted.
