An enzyme-responsive hydrogel of ferrocene-grafted carboxymethyl chitosan as a soft electrochemical sensor for MMP-9

Jinze Wang1, Haiqi Zhang1, Hongtao Hu1

  • 1MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.

Insights

This study developed a novel hydrogel biosensor to detect matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity, crucial for monitoring chronic wound healing. The simple, cost-effective electrochemical method accurately quantifies MMP-9 levels in biological samples.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Electrochemistry
  • Wound Healing Research

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is vital in wound healing, but its overexpression can impede healing by degrading extracellular matrix, leading to chronic wounds.
  • Effective monitoring of MMP-9 activity is essential for preventing chronic wound development.
  • Current monitoring methods can be complex and costly, necessitating simpler, more accessible alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, cost-effective electrochemical biosensor for monitoring MMP-9 activity.
  • To utilize ferrocene-modified MMP-9 cleavage peptide (Fc-MG) integrated into carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels for MMP-9 detection.
  • To evaluate the biosensor's performance in quantifying MMP-9 activity in relevant biological media.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels modified with ferrocene-conjugated MMP-9 cleavage peptide (Fc-MG).
  • Utilizing differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to measure electrochemical activity changes upon MMP-9-mediated peptide cleavage.
  • Testing the biosensor's response to varying MMP-9 concentrations in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM).

Main Results:

  • The DPV peak currents showed a strong correlation with MMP-9 concentrations in both PBS (R² = 0.918) and DMEM (R² = 0.993).
  • Achieved limits of detection for MMP-9 were 73.08 ng/mL in PBS and 131.71 ng/mL in DMEM.
  • The hydrogel biosensor offered a simpler detection process compared to traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Conclusions:

  • Fc-MG-modified hydrogel biosensors provide a sensitive and straightforward method for assessing MMP-9 activity.
  • This electrochemical approach holds significant potential for real-time monitoring of MMP-9 in cell secretions.
  • The developed biosensor offers a promising tool for managing and preventing chronic wounds.

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