Single-particle fibrinogen detection using platelet membrane-coated fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Fibrinogen is crucial in physiological processes and serves as a disease biomarker.
• Sensitive fibrinogen assay methods are vital for disease diagnosis and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and selective method for fibrinogen detection.
• To utilize platelet membrane-coated fluorescent nanoparticles for a novel biosensing approach.

Main Methods:

• Developed a color-coded single-particle detection (SPD) method using platelet membrane-coated fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles (PNPs).
• Exploited the specific interaction between fibrinogen and platelet integrin receptors to induce nanoparticle aggregation.
• Quantified fibrinogen concentration by analyzing colocalization events and Pearson's correlation coefficient of fluorescently labeled PNPs.

Main Results:

• The SPD method demonstrated a linear detection range of 30-300 μg mL⁻¹ for fibrinogen.
• Achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.9 μg mL⁻¹ (11.3 nM) for fibrinogen.
• Validated the biosensor's selectivity for fibrinogen and its effectiveness in real sample applications.

Conclusions:

• The proposed platelet nanoparticle-based biosensor provides a sensitive and selective method for fibrinogen detection.
• This novel SPD approach shows promise for clinical applications in diagnosing fibrinogen-related diseases.