Nanostructured label-free electrochemical immunosensor for detection of a Parkinson's disease biomarker

Aggregation of α-synuclein has been recognized as a critical event in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease whose prevalence is increasing with great socio-economic challenges for future generations. Here, we developed a sensitive and specific electrochemical immunosensor for the detection and quantification of this biomarker, based on the voltammetric study of a redox indicator signal, which decreases upon the analyte recognition by the antibody due to the electronic resistance increase. The proposed immunosensor is based on a screen-printed carbon electrode modified in a layer-by-layer approach, which through extensive characterization led to the successful nanostructuration of the transducer, through the drop-cast of 3.0 μL of a 0.1 mg mL^-1 single-walled carbon nanotubes suspension followed by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles in a 3 mM HAuCl4 solution under a -0.2 V potential for 150 s. Monoclonal antibodies were immobilized on the gold nanoparticles surface through chemical modification at an optimal concentration of 200 μg mL^-1. Using the proposed immunosensor, α-synuclein was detected in the range of 0.01-10 ng mL^-1 with a 4.1 and 12.6 pg mL^-1 limits of detection and quantification, respectively. Recovery values of 96.7, 106.2 and 102.9% were attained for the tested concentrations spiked in fetal bovine serum while also presenting excellent specificity and stability throughout one month. The nanostructured immunosensor provided a great interface for electronic transduction and biological recognition events, which enabled fast, sensitive and specific detection of α-synuclein while being based on a simple and inexpensive technology requiring small sample volumes, crucial characteristics for application in point-of-care testing.